by J E Reed
“The what?”
“I thought not. The things you killed were creatures we call hollows. They look like people, move like people, but they’re no different from the monsters you’ve encountered. Though it troubles me this group was so organized.”
“Not people?” she whispered.
“You didn’t slaughter hundreds of people Kiuno. I won’t say you didn’t kill any, but I can promise at least half were created for the purpose of this game.”
Her heart lightened. “How are they different?”
“Think of them as an Artificial Intelligence. They don’t talk, at least not that I’ve heard, and they don’t feel pain, which makes them formidable, but their bodies will die if a mortal wound is inflicted.”
“You said they were organized?”
“I’ve not seen them work with people before.”
“So, what does that mean?”
He gazed into the darkness for several moments. “It means we’re getting close and the person who set this in motion doesn’t want us moving this fast anymore.”
“The creator you mean?”
He nodded.
“But how could someone convince people to stay in a place like this?”
“Isn’t the better question, how are we going to convince them to leave? Think about it. This is a perfect world. A fresh start. People don’t have to work at dead-end jobs and aren’t forced to pay bills. They are literally free in every sense of the word.”
“What about their family?”
“Who says they’re not here? Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to leave. Some have family, others are afraid, and some want home simply because it’s home. But if you look at the bigger picture, if you were guaranteed safety and all your friends and family were here, what reason would you have to leave?”
He had a point; one she couldn’t argue. If someone could guarantee her safety, would she stay? If she’d never lost Kikyo…
“What about you?” she asked. She needed to know. From the look of things, he could lead a fulfilling life right here.
“I’ve been challenged to beat a game.”
She laughed. “I guess that’s good enough.”
“Kiuno?” The two turned to find Elite in the doorway, his gaze shifting between her and K.J. He took in short breaths as if he’d been running.
She glanced at the darkened sky. “Sorry, I guess I lost track of time.”
K.J. extended his hand. “We haven’t had a chance to talk. I’m K.J., it’s nice to finally meet you.” Elite hesitated before taking his hand and she recalled the mild jealousy Elite carried toward her friend.
“Elite.” Silence echoed and she turned to stare out over the open area again.
“I was just about to turn in.” K.J. said. “We’ll talk later Kiuno. Just worry about healing for now.”
“I’ll try to keep myself occupied.”
“I don’t think that comforts anyone.”
She laughed again. “Good night.” He waved and vanished down the stairs. Elite wrapped his arms around her from behind, and she leaned her head against his chest.
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah.” She still couldn’t block the images of people dying from her thoughts. The flashing of steel. The blood and screams. It didn’t matter that they weren’t real, it still felt real.
“Do you know about the hollows?”
Elite ran his hand up and down her arm. “Yes, didn’t you?”
She shook her head. “No, I thought—” She couldn’t voice her fears, but knew Elite understood. His hand traced down to the two bracelets and she fought against flinching when he turned the green one over. It occurred to her that no one had mentioned them until now.
“All that time we spent apart, I tried to imagine you safe and believed I would walk into an inn to find you serving drinks.”
A sad smile tugged at her lips. “You should have known better.”
His arms tightened around her and a burning sensation shot through her shoulders.
“I know, but still. The image of you fighting, being out there without someone to protect you and then seeing you on the battlefield barely able to stand.”
“I’m more than capable of protecting myself.”
“But you shouldn’t have to.”
“None of us should.”
His fingers turned over the gray stone and what she presumed to be an impending argument faded. “Who were they?”
“People I failed.” She choked on the words and a familiar pain crept to the surface. Everything was happening so fast and no matter how much she wanted it to slow down, there didn’t appear to be time.
Elite turned her around and tucked a stray strand of hair behind one ear. “You didn’t fail anyone. You can’t control what happens in this world.”
An old conversation with Scorpios floated back to her. You dishonor them.
“I just,” her voice shook, “wish I could have done more.”
“We all do.” Elite pulled her to his chest, and she wrapped her arms around his back. He kissed the top of her head. “Tell me about them.”
7: Rest
Realm: 5
Day: 231
Kiuno’s eyes fluttered open, her body warm with Elite’s arm wrapped around her middle. Light shone through their small window and she sighed, moving his arm to sit up.
“You used to enjoy sleeping in,” Elite said as he shifted to one side.
“Yeah, I guess I did.” Silence filled the air as Kiuno stared at the cold fireplace. What else had she enjoyed before survival had taken precedence? Painting. At one time the feel of a brush had sparked creativity, but now a sword had taken its place.
Elite interrupted her thoughts. “Did K.J. give you anything to do?”
She shook her head.
“Do you want to go find Scorpios then?”
She turned. “You know where he is?”
“If he’s in the same spot as yesterday then yeah.”
Kiuno jumped out of bed and dressed before Elite could say another word.
The two walked down the stairs, past the main hall, and out into the crisp morning air. Kiuno took in a lungful, letting it drown the suffocating smell of the castle. Perhaps Reece was onto something by preferring the outside.
A clear blue sky shown overhead, and dew clung to blades of grass as they padded toward the outer training grounds.
She paused upon rounding the wall. Magic flew in every direction. There were thousands, each gliding with their weapons as they manipulated the elements at their disposal.
She continued to follow Elite as they walked along the outskirts of the display. Earth users grew vines to both attack and defend by throwing and catching their opponents. Entire trees shot from the ground and the branches sprung up to wrap their comrades in a powerful bind.
Those using water were equally fascinating. They seemed to pull the particles from thin air, twisting and weaving it to their mind’s creation. Shards of ice solidified in midair then struck into wooden boards with deadly force.
Kiuno studied them, wondering what Scorpios might be capable of.
“There.”
Kiuno followed Elite’s finger to a man in the far corner. She watched as Scorpios twirled the staff around his body, pulling water along the same path. His students tried to mimic the action and several fumbled. Most were dripping with water. It didn’t take long for him to notice the two approaching.
Scorpios whispered to his students and they continued with similar exercises in his absence.
“Glad to see you up and moving.” He gave her a light hug. “Are you still in pain?”
“It’s bearable.”
His eyes roamed down her arms and he sighed. “Why do you cause so much trouble?”
“Not sure it’s in my nature to stay out of it.”
He let out a hearty chuckle. “That’s the truest statement I’ve ever heard.”
Scorpios turned to Elite and the two clasped one another on
the back. “How is Silver faring?”
“He’s glad to have a bed.”
“Ah, yes. The comforts of home.”
“So, what are you doing out here?” She gestured toward the group still spraying themselves with water.
“Training. Palindrome thought I’d be a good fit. Maybe you’ll be able to help me. Speaking of,” he held up a hand, jogged to the group, and returned holding her metal staff. “I believe this is yours.”
She took the weapon and ran her hands down the familiar smooth surface.
“Once you’re feeling better, we’ll show Elite what you can do with it.”
A grin spread across Kiuno’s face. “I’m sure he’ll love that.”
8: Traitor
Realm: 5
Day: 235
He watched day after day as Palindrome continued to assess her wounds and heal what little she could.
It still puzzled him how the marks reacted as if they had a barrier of their own. Anything could be healed, down to a lung being stitched back together, but for some reason the marks across her skin refused to react to the healer’s magic.
He stood in the grass, watching, taking in everything that was Kiuno. He’d said it before, but that fire was something he admired. He grinned. The lightning suited her too.
Kiuno fought against her friends’ advice. Even his. She wanted to move, but then, that was how she processed. It was like a meditation ritual with her. The physical pain kept the mental at bay.
Despite her exercise, none would spar with her. He might have, if not for everyone glaring at him when he suggested such a thing.
Disappointment flooded him when Palindrome insisted Kiuno didn’t use her magic for a time. It would put a hold on his plans, but he’d rather her be at full strength anyway.
He remembered the glow on the field. The burst of electricity as it hummed around her like something alive. His skin crawled in anticipation.
Soon. He told himself. Soon.
9: Alliances
Realm: 5
Day: 237
A group of twenty-five set out across the grassy plains. Kiuno sat atop her horse, tugging at the tight leather that hugged her figure before fanning out at the waist. Despite the cool breeze, sweat dampened her undershirt and the raw marks itched beyond belief.
She sighed. Perhaps she should have stayed home.
Her gaze drifted to Elite and Maltack. They rode on either side of her and kept close. Their eyes scanned the distant horizon. She knew what Elite watched for, but Maltack appeared more curious than apprehensive.
Despite her discomfort Kiuno smiled. She should take some delight in everything they’d accomplished. Her friends were safe. They had walls to protect them from the dangers in the realm and for once she wasn’t rushing somewhere with the shadow of death following.
Small birds flocked together overhead and landed from place to place as their troupe marched through the grass. She wasn’t sure what to expect out here, but if the animals weren’t spooked then she saw no reason to fret either.
Kiuno tilted her head back to absorb the sun. A few days separated them from the next castle. She wondered what the leader would be like and what K.J. expected of her when they arrived. Manipulative diplomacy wasn’t her strong suit. It was his.
“You’re quiet,” Elite said.
She tilted her head toward him. “And you worry too much.”
He chuckled and she went back to absorbing the sun’s rays and lost herself in the meditative sway of the horse’s gait.
With evening, the group staked the horses’ leads in the ground and Maltack started the fire.
Kiuno settled down beside Elite and watched the stars dot the open sky.
Elite wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I guess I’m to deal with men fawning over you?”
“Only until we’re out of there. We shouldn’t be there long.”
He pressed his lips to her hair. “If one of them touches you—”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “You’ve no idea what I’ve done to men who’ve tried.”
“I guess that’s a story you have yet to tell.” His breath tickled her ear and she giggled. He pressed his lips to hers and she drank him in as if she’d never get enough.
~~~
WHEN THEY approached the walls Kiuno jumped from her saddle and took a few moments to stretch her cramped back and legs. She rubbed at tender skin where she’d started to chafe in unpleasant places.
Perhaps she should have done more riding than walking on her journey to this realm.
A stagnant moat wrapped itself around the castle and emitted a foul stench sure to keep the scariest of monsters away.
A curtain wall sat behind it with a thick drawbridge already down and awaiting their arrival. The group filed in.
The castle didn’t have an inner curtain wall like K.J.’s, but that didn’t mean it was any less organized. Buildings lined the castle itself and soldiers stood at attention along the wall.
K.J. exchanged words with the guards, then gestured them to follow. Kiuno scanned the inside of the castle and searched for any signs that might warrant caution, but it appeared they weren’t the first group to arrive.
After ascending two flights of stairs and taking more turns than she could count, the guards left them at a large room with more than enough cots lining the walls. Blankets sat in neat piles on each.
She paused at the doorway. “When will the meeting start?”
K.J. unbuckled his sword. “Within the hour. Leave your weapons here.”
She pulled the daggers from her belt and shoe. “Will it take long?”
He shrugged. “Hard to say. Depends on how long it takes all parties to come to an agreement. Some last a few hours, others go on for days. We’ll stay a night regardless to let the horses rest.”
K.J. removed a small knife from his boot, sat on his cot, then looked toward Elite. “He’ll have to stay here with the others. You and I will go into the room. There’ll be another behind us, but you won’t see much of him.”
Kiuno unbuckled her sword as she walked toward Elite. He’d seated himself on the adjacent cot and watched as she placed her weapons down.
“Let me guess,” he said. “I’m staying here.”
She gave him a halfhearted smile. “I won’t be far.”
“But you’ll be weaponless.” He nodded toward K.J. “As will he.”
“I have other weapons I can use if it comes to that. Trust me when I say you’d know something is wrong.”
Elite wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him. He buried his face in her stomach, then met her gaze. “Try to play nice.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “No promises.”
After several minutes Kiuno followed K.J. and their guide down a dark corridor. The castle carried the same stagnant smell as the one she’d come from.
After rounding two corners, they entered a large meeting room with a high ceiling and long wooden table in the center. A fire roared in the hearth, giving unpleasant warmth to the room. She wished she could have worn something less stuffy, but she had marks to hide.
Kiuno followed K.J. to the far side of the table and the two seated themselves to watch the door. The third man stood against the wall, but she didn’t have time to examine him as another entered the room.
Two guards accompanied an older man with peppered hair and a warm smile. A smile lifted Kiuno’s lips when she examined the guards. Perhaps they saw her as K.J.’s guard.
“Grayson,” K.J. whispered.
She nodded and tried to keep herself from fidgeting. K.J. sat like a statue with his hands folded beneath his chin and eyes locked on the door.
Kiuno chewed her lip, then stilled herself. She should have asked more questions and become familiar with the alliances’ inner workings.
A young Asian woman walked in next, followed by three men. The woman’s sharp eyes glanced over the room and Kiuno half expected her to glare at them, but she tilted her h
ead and gave them a curious smile.
Kiuno’s racing heart slowed a fraction. She gave K.J. a sideways glance, but he didn’t whisper a name this time.
Another man entered the room only moments after. Middle Eastern if she could place him right.
He glanced around the room, held her gaze longer than she thought necessary, then seated himself beside the woman.
Four out of five. Kiuno’s gaze darted between the stranger’s faces, but it seemed they wanted to study her as well. After two counts of uncomfortable eye contact, she kept her gaze on the table. The way K.J. remained still made her feel like an antsy kid who’d been trapped in a car for hours.
Minute after minute crawled by, but the entire group sat in silence. She wondered which of them had threatened Reece’s group, but before she could think too much on it another male entered the room.
Repulsion shot through her core. He strutted; chest stuck out as if he were to be waited upon without complaint. He gave the woman a smug smile, then shifted his gaze to her. Kiuno sat straighter and held his stare, almost as if in challenge. He smirked and sat in the remaining seat. No guard accompanied him.
Grayson, the older gentleman, broke the silence with a deep voice. “Since I’m the one who called this meeting, I’ll begin. Unfortunately, we haven’t found the portal, but I’d like to discuss plans for heading to the northern forest.”
His eyes traveled around the room before continuing. “My scouts haven’t been able to find safe passage around the forest and I fear the portal might be on the other side of those wicked trees.”
Kiuno stayed silent, unsure about anything related to such.
“Are people still disappearing inside?” K.J. asked.
Grayson nodded. “None have returned.”
Silence settled over the room and despite Kiuno’s too warm attire, a shiver ran up her spine.
“We’ve tightened security and erected barriers, but without help I fear we’ll have to pull back.”
“Numbers will increase our strength.” K.J. sat back. “I assume the mountainside is impassible?”
The Asian woman answered. “We’ve tried many ways but haven’t found a safe route.”
