A Crimson Tale

by K. L. O Johnson

  “No fair.” I muttered. “You always know how to find me.” I turned over my shoulder and saw large sharp incisors bearing down at me. Fear flooded through me. A scream rippled from my lips at the sight of the sinister looking demon.

  “Hush, little princess, I’ll be gentle.” A zapping sound occurred. The demon jolted and screamed in pain. It collapsed on the ground and there stood my father with fear and relief in his eyes—his hands slowly dropped back to his side and I cried and ran to him. At thirteen, I was small but tall, even at this age I still insisted on playing hide and seek with people, especially father and sister.

  “It’s okay, you’re safe now.” he purred as he stroked my hair, brushing aside the few strand of silver tresses that fell over my face. A thumping sound occurred in countless sections around us and I felt father tense. “Stay behind me.” he ordered and I forced my face from out of his chest and regarded him with confusion to see his gaze was no locked on one place but instead his eyes drifted around, sharply.

  I followed his countless gazes and nestled further in him. There were more demons but this time there were vampires and other dragons. I gulped and fought back a scream. “There’s too many father…” I whispered in fear. I know he heard me before I could do anything my father’s Prevail locked onto the claws of the demon that initially attacked.

  *.*.*

  Something warm and cool touches my face in a comforting manner, my eyes squint at the light that phases through the darkness. A groan escapes my lips than enters my mind. “Looks like Rails is up.” I want to yell at whoever said: rails. I can’t wait until I ring this person’s neck it will be absolutely amusing on my part—payback for that word—though that word is what forces my eyes to snap open. Only one person calls me rails. It’s blurry at first before my eyes focus on the silver long haired figure above me, I begin to fight and force him from me. “Calm down!”

  “Let me go Eugene!” I yell and thrash about. “Ryu!” I cry.

  There’s no response.

  I thrash about once more, “Ryu!”

  “He’s not here!” growls Eugene. I stop. My eyes meet his firm, cold deep blue eyes like mine are or was, in this case, it’s like every time I see my fellow Nephalem I’m reminded of what I don’t have or may never, have again. The thought of it does bother me but I guess—like everything else, I’m going to have to suck it up and keep moving forward.

  “What do you mean? He’s not here?” I ask. Desperate and in fear of the answer.

  “I mean what I said, he’s not here, and he was taken by the Grattican.” I stare, my eyes couldn’t tare themselves away. Fear and earnestly battles behind his eyes. I fight him off of me, I have no idea why he’s so close to me, it makes me uncomfortable thinking about it.

  “And you didn’t help him!” I growl, “They’ll kill him!” I attempt to stand on my feet but the world begins to stand and I’m locked in something.

  “Don’t move.”

  “You did nothing to save him!” The sound of footsteps appear and I realize that Fredric is here with us, noticing the pill of water he carries in his arms I know is for me, instead I’m mad at both of them. “You didn’t do anything to save him!” I yell this time at Fredric and his face is contorted into pain and fear.

  “Forgive me, my lady.” the sound of Eugene’s voice radiates from behind me the moment I turn over my shoulder. Darkness engulfs me—just barely.

  “What are you doing!” growls Fredrick. “Princess!”

  “She’ll never know the truth if she keeps this up.”

  25:Recount

  © 2014—All rights reserved by author

  I stare up at the light green leaves that filter the warmth of the sun, the blaze of its light, ignites a sense of peace and comfort though all I want to do right now is leave, disappear into the darkness and hunt down Golgotha. That witch has taken him somewhere and doing who in this universe knows what. I don’t want to think about the possibilities but the thought of something bad does makes my mind jump with anxiety.

  “If she keeps this up…she’ll never know the truth!”

  The leaves, break slightly here and there allowing the warm rays of the morning sun to sooth my face with its comforting radiation. I can’t tell whether I’m dreaming. I feel nothing around me, my body feels like nothing is holding it down—like gravity is non-existent and I’m floating or rather, drifting in the flow of a spinning earth underneath me.

  I turn my gaze to the side and there sits Fredrick, why his parent’s gave him such a human name is still unknown to me—till this very day—on that note, I made it my silent list of “things to do” while I still remember. “Fredrick?” The words came out quicker than I expected them to and he jolts awake. His eyes turn to meet mine.

  “My lady, you’re awake.”

  “Where’s Eugene?”

  “Lord Vilanté, will return soon, he’s left to ensure that we are safe, my lady.” I slowly but steadily move my body to sit up right, Fredrick moved to help me but I refused to allow him to do such, I was the one that didn’t see this coming—I was the one that wasn’t prepared—I’ve never been so clumsy and blind before now. What has gotten into me? I really am losing my touch.

  “How long will be gone?” I ask.

  “He should be back soon.” declares Fredrick. My wrist begins to vibrate and immediately Mizreth pops up on my PCP. His face is contorted into fear and concern.

  “My lady, you haven’t completely recovered—you should rest more.” Fredrick is quick to my side, with a comforting hand on my shoulder he gestures me to rest—though I’m too stubborn to give in.

  “And wait to be ambushed again, not going to happen.” The air is filled with a moist dirty scent. That of which causes me to curl my scale fingers beneath me, I feel the firm stone under my nails and realize that I’m lying on a flat stone that’s equal to the height of the grass and dirt surrounding it. I’m determined to move, I’m determined to save both Varden and Ryu. I refuse to be a helpless damsel.

  “I understand my lady but you need to rest. You haven’t recovered from your encounter with Vedric.” His voice is harsh but sad. Why is he sad? Why does everyone walk around me as if I’m some bomb timed or waiting to explode at any minute?

  “Where’s Eugene?” I demand. His eyes cast themselves helplessly on the ground between us. I repeat, “Where’s Eugene, Fredrick?”

  “He said he’ll be back soon.” I keep my eyes on him and wait for him to continue when he doesn’t I’m forced to ask.

  “And?”

  “He’s been gone for hours.” he confesses.

  “Does he normally do this?” I ask. He shakes his head.

  “There are times when he’s gone for weeks on end but when he does return he’s never broken his word on when he’ll be back. He doesn’t say where he’s going, he just leaves and returns when he says.”

  “How long ago did he say he would return?” Fredrick looks up at the morning sun and I follow his gaze, the fluffy clouds are clam the exact opposite of Fredrick at the moment, something which I feel radiating off of him.

  “At sunrise.” He should have returned hours ago. “And I’m worried, my lady.” he admits and I see his grief filled gaze—his gaze returns to me—and with that look in his eye I know that this isn’t something he wants to confess. “With the attack and the abduction of Ryu I fear…” I nod in understanding.

  “We’ll find him and Ryu. They couldn’t have gotten too far and if they have—I won’t give up.” I slowly but carefully force myself to stand. At first I was a little bit unsteady but Fredrick was there to keep me from falling over. At this rate the way I’ve been going I’m sure I’ll be dead or killed at any time soon. I slip my arms from his grasp and attempt to stand, this time I don’t threaten to fall and slowly walk away feeling the weight of my body on the soles of my feet once more.

  My heels more dominant than ever.

  The males of our species wore heels as well but that was just a replica of what ou
r feet appear when we are in our true forms—our dragon forms. “Have you tried telepathic?” I ask keeping my eyes on the cliff which I now face. The ravine below isn’t dark but filled with rapid fast flowing water and I only just realize that we are on Zylaria. The planet where this became more complicated by the minute.

  *.*.*

  The air is thin. The scent, stronger than anything I have ever smelt. I can’t understand why it’s so intoxicating. It draws me in like a moth to a flame. I can hear my name being called in a symphonic melody—it’s alluring and irresistible. The sound dances through the still wind and soundless trees, straight to me. As if it’s finally home, at last. ”Kalverya…” the sound dances through the wind, crisping and gliding ever so calmly to me. ”Kalverya…” it calls once more in a dangerous, threatening tone.

  “Something’s with us.” states Fredrick.

  “I know but we need to keep moving, we need to find Ryu.”

  *.*.*

  I don’t necessarily understand Fredrick’s reason but I do have faith in Mizreth and sadly that is something that I can say that will never be miss trusted—though there are times like now I question that. “I’m positive he needs to be fixed.” I mutter as I eye my AI standing proudly between Fredrick and I on a virtual projector pad. I glance at him and his face twists into an innocent smile that annoys me. What does he think he’s a child now? That so won’t work on me. I think, disgusted.

  “I agree.” admits Fredrick. “Mizreth has been acting rather strange.” I keep my eyes on my AI, if I’m not careful he’ll most likely malfunction.

  “That’s a prejudice accusation!” Fredrick sighs and I fight the urge to collapse on the ground. If it weren’t for the fact that I’m sitting I probably would have. Never before have, I heard him talk back like that. He definitely needs to be reconfigured.

  “We’re not being prejudice!” growls Fredrick. I glance at the trees while I attempt to block out the now recently erupted yet pointless argument between my AI and Fredrick. The leaves high above our position, dances gently, in an even rhythmic pace that I can’t seem to stop admiring and just like that.

  It stops.

  The ground begins to crack and split. A sharp shattering sound grips me at my core. I glance at Fredrick who—like me—is immediately on his feet, his eyes dart around in an aggressive manner. “Fe, Fi, Foe, Fum. I smell Nephalem scum!” booms a voice so loud it causes the sound of clipping wings to be erratic in my ears—flocks of birds scatter at the tumbling tall trees and thick snapping wood.

  “Great…” I hear Fredrick mutter. The trees begin to part ways and like that a thick—blistering and distorted features jump before us—his gaping teeth only causes my scales to crawl as his dark black eyes peer into mine. It is callous to think that everything will be alright when in the end the tables have turned and no one, I mean no one, was able to stop it or was there before-hand to prevent it. We wonder through the thick heavy, wet, forest. The only sound there is: is the sound of our boots trekking across the hard wet soil. The rain from earlier this morning hasn’t aided us in any way in our trip to civilization.

  The sound of twittering birds can be heard, no one has spoken and I don’t think no one will, anytime soon. This isn’t something to want to talk about though Eugene’s disappearance does make me wonder about the distant or short future laid out before us by the decisions we made. I just hope the boys are all right and nothing has happened.

  “My lady?” questions Mizreth. I regard him, his worry is streaked across his face in a disturbing manner that I keep from altering any form of expression on my face at the moment. “Are you okay?” his tone is full of genuine concern—for an AI.

  “I’m fine Mizreth, don’t worry about me.” I say as I sit on a boulder under a large leafy tree. The brown twigs, dirty green grass and dark green plants at my feet gives the forest, again, more detail.

  “You say not to worry but I do.” comments Mizreth.

  “Why do you?” I dare ask. He glares up at me from where he stands on my PCP’s holo-disc.

  “No reason.” he adds quietly as he stares at his feet in a concentrating manner. On that note, I sense Fredrick’s presence before I even hear him in range. After several good minutes he appears from around a boulder where a river disappears behind.

  “My lady.”

  “What have you found?” I point out. I really want to get out of here, I want to find Varden, Ryu and the others. I want my team back. Above all, I want Golgotha’s head. I should not have spared her that day, I knew I should have killed her.

  “There are Bilants three hundred meters north of here.” he says. “You can stay here, until…”

  I stand.

  “No.” I say and brush my hand over my AI’s holo-disc, it shrinks before disappearing. “I’m coming with you.” His eyes are hesitant at the moment, almost wary of what just may occur should I not be careful. The strangest thing is. I know I’m careful. I always am.

  “Are you sure?” he asks. I nod. He turns his heel and I follow after. Several moments later, I find myself crouching down behind dark thick shrubs at a high vantage point. The sight of it is rather amusing, especially at how vulnerable they are. Six large rhinoceros type men stand heavily armed, spears, daggers and swords in hand. I hate this race; the Armarg. They are just as deadly and as dangerous as the Spartans.

  “Is it just me or are they bigger than before?” I wonder aloud in a whisper as I reflect back to the time, before, my casual encounter with Golgotha. Now that woman will have a bounty on my head. Why did I even say yes in the first place?

  “Those are Iron Bilants, the lowest rank of the highest circle.” I frown.

  “What are they doing here? Is their leader around?” I question trying to understand why these Bilants are around. Especially those that appear as Palace Guards.

  “No. Not that I could see, instead they have Hunter Bilants with them.” he says. I regard him for a moment and see his deep blue eyes looked on to the distant cliff high to the left of us. They can’t see us because of the thick leafy coverage overhead but we can see them and there’s lots. The Hunter Bilants are larger in size and are known to be the strongest within their species, as only a select few can be Hunter Bilants, once they are chosen their strength matches that of a purebred Nephalem.

  “That means they’re looking for something.” I say.

  “Agreed.”

  “Do you think the others are with them?” I ask in reference to the Hunter Bilants.

  “Maybe, one way to find out.” He turns to me with a smile and a mischievous look in his eyes which I eagerly return. We make our way through the hedging trees, plants and under large thick logs. There’s a part of me that’s happy and there’s another part of me that’s wary about the danger that’s soon to befall us. With everything on the line I am unsure of exactly what to do. This isn’t exactly something that I want to do, I would prefer to just walk away and not become involved with the Bilants but sadly, right now—I have no choice.

  We manage to make our way to a bank, we kneel down under the thick leaves and behind a dense shrub. I regard the campsite, the layout of the tents, the vehicles and their weapons’ artillery system. The drop pods. There are several there, they are obviously heavily armed. I feel Fredrick beside me. “Mizreth, identify vital signs within one-hundred meters.” I order.

  I wait a few moments.

  “There are sixty vital signs all situated at station points.” he says, my faceplate soon covers my features and the layout or the virtual analysis of the enemy perimeter is laid out before me. I can see their bodies molded from heat signatures. The helmets and their armor remains cold and that’s how I know where not to strike should I come across one.

  “I see them.”

  “Where’s the least?” asks Fredrick. I turn east. There are three, spread out far only fifty meters away.

  “That direction.” I say. Like that Fredrick warps from where he is and takes out one, than the other than the final on
e. Their bodies are piled upon each other and carried further down the valley and out of sight or out of any accidental attempt on finding them. He’s immediately back by my side.

  “Next?” he asks.

  I turn over my shoulder. “Our six.” Once again he warps and disappears, two more are taken out in separate but a stealthy fashion that pulls my lips into a smile—our people no matter their position are all trained for combat. The bodies are as before piled and hidden. They were still alive just unconscious, there is no need at the moment to kill and since this is stealth the death of one of their comrades would only make them more hostile.

  Do you ever wonder what it is? What makes people of any background or of any form to look at you with such daunting eyes—eyes that judge the very your every being. A person, a friend, a family member; they all have those looks, the ones that will cause even the most secure person to feel insecure about how they look, what they’ve done and above all what they will do. It’s like walking on a shattered glass floor—the difference is the glass will soon drop at any moment. These are the emotions that cause through me now, I fear the worst. I fear I’ll never be able to live up to a person or my friend’s expectations. There are so many factors running through my mind at the moment that I fear will consume me whole should I let it.

  “The Bilants.” I hear. I regard Fredrick and it takes me sometime before I understand who it is that’s talking to me. Better yet I had no idea what he just said and I don’t want to seem rude but in a way I don’t have a choice, instead, I just may have to act as though I was listening the whole time.

  “What of the Bilants?” I ask.

  “They appear to be guarding something,” he says as he gives me a concerned look. I ignore him and focus my gaze on the monsters before me. I regard the distant campsite that is surrounded by large ruins, moss and plants creep up the side of the dirt and grim covered stone.