Mikleo 2

5.5

This time, the girl is ready, anticipating for his attack. Before he can reach him, she swings the large blade, slashing him right by the middle of his chest. Lunarre sees it before it happens, but he can not do anything as the sharp length of the sword makes a large cut on his body. He spins to avoid any further damage, landing on ground on all fours. Nayla swings the sword right back to meet him, moving her arms as if the weapon does not weigh as heavy as it looks. She strikes his by the back, planting the edge of the point right into his flesh.

A scream flows out of his mouth, followed by string of curses. The sounds he makes bring a nasty satisfaction to her lips, and the girl can not help but to smile sinisterly. Yes, that’s it. It’s not fun to suffer, isn’t it? How you can finally get a taste of your own medicine. Nayla stabs him once more, pulling the sword back a little bit, only to drive it right back into him. Blood splatters everywhere and she works on him, slashing and cutting him mercilessly. Malevolence starts to build, forming a purple mist around her body.

Nayla is losing control of herself. She is no longer herself, but a new kind of malice. Her eyes turn black as she starts to be consumed by the darkness of her heart. This is it. This is the moment of retribution that she has been longed for. And from the looks of it, she does not plan to be stopping anytime soon, even when she is on the verge of becoming a monster. Just like him. Just like this killer. And he dies, she will seal her own fate, following a path of destruction. But right in this moment, she does not care. All she wants is revenge, and that is all she can think of.

Chunks of his meat starts to scramble around at this point. Lunarre screams out, trying to crawl away from the pain, but Nayla is not letting him go so easily. His movements are still rapid as before, but the occurrence is lessening, thanks to her newly resurrected power. It does not make sense how she can become this strong all of a sudden. This power, this speed. It is not her. And something tells him it has something to do with the suspiciously glowing circlet on the girl’s head. It must have been the source of her power, he guesses. If only he can reach it and remove the piece of jewelry off her. Perhaps then he can finally end this madness.

Mikleo watches as the girl turns a berserk mode. Though the throbbing pain of his leg is still evident, he still needs to stop her. If she kills Lunarre, it is almost a guarantee that she will turn into a hellion for real. He has to stop her, before she does something that she will regret. They can end his life, but not like this. Her mentality is not strong enough to stay pure-minded. At this rate she is going, she will doom herself if she goes along with her bloodlust.

So he wills himself to stand up, to reach out to her. He fights against the pain, crawling on the cold hard ground. The wetness soaking into his clothes, but he ignores it. He needs to stop her, before it is too late.

“Nayla,” he calls out her name, but she disregards it, as if his voice does not even register to her mind. He repeats again, trying to get her attention, to no result. Mikleo withers in pain when the burning ache in his leg becomes even more prominent. He is losing some blood, he notices, and at this point, he does not even know who bleeds more; him or Lunarre. It seems like the assassin has accomplished in hitting the boy at a main artery, because he can feel himself going dizzy fast. His calling becomes even more desperate then, his tone slurring as his body grows heavier.

Rush of air emits from the female’s body, pressuring him down, as if silently warning him to stay away. The crystal gem on her forehead shines through the dimness of the night, its light crackling in omen. He has a bad feeling about this. It seems like the worse of things have come to them. Maybe the object is evil after all. But it is hard to tell, what with Nayla being consumed by her own dark emotions. If she keeps this up and does not snap out of it anytime soon, she will turn into a hellion for real. And things will only get complicated from there on.

Using his good knee, he raises himself into a standing position, limping throughout the way. He can hear Lunarre groaning and cursing as Nayla keeps on using the mysterious sword to stab him, her aim not fatal but painful. She just keeps digging the weapon into him, not caring about the consequences. In a flash, her eyes look empty, but they can see the slight satisfied curve on her lips. Her caramel eyes only get darken as the malevolence keeps spreading around her body, taking its nasty roots within herself, changing her into something more sinister.

Nayla sees nothing, only picturing her mother’s dead body. Her actions hold a certain degree of justice, she tells herself. It is only fair that the man suffers as much as what he has put her late mother through. The more she sees, the deeper she embeds the sword into him. Why won’t he just die? She must have been doing something wrong, so she increases her strength. Only when she can hear the sweet music of his whitening pain that she becomes contented.

She digs deeper, her movement so fast and frantic that her body forgets about the strain from the force she puts herself through, muscle pain dulling out. Blood splashes to every kind of direction, soaking in, straining her clothes and skin until all of her is covered in red. Still, she pushes through, solely living to hear him scream.

The girl is doing just fine, until her brain begins to register Mikleo’s voice, sounding out desperate calls to her. That is when she finally pauses, lowering the sword with a heavy stab to Lunarre’s back, and lifts her head.

“You must stop this, Nayla. You can’t continue on like this.”

Why? Why must she stop where the murderer is so close? She can just kill him right now—

“No! You can’t! You’re mentality is not stable right now. If you do that, there is no doubt that you’ll turn into a hellion. Do you want that to happen? Do you want to turn into something like him?”

She does not see what is so hard to deal about that. She will still be her own self, won’t she? Besides, if she does turn, they can just purify her and turn her back to normal, can’t they?

“It is not as simple as you think. Stop this while you still can, Nayla. Or you might regret doing this.”

Why would she regret killing her mother’s murderer? She has been wanting to do this for such a long time. Just one slice, and she can end this.

“And then what? Just what do you think you will accomplish? Will killing him bring your mother back?”

No, but—

“If you think that this is all just about revenge, then you are no better than him. Do you think your mother will be proud, of you turning into a killer? Like him?”

This seems to stop her on her track, thinking.

“Nayla, come back. Come back to me,” he calls out to her softly.

The girl is just about to give in, when Lunarre takes the chance to catch her in surprise and knock her out of the way with his elbow. He is just about to raise from the ground, but Nayla is already in high alert. She swings her sword in one swift motion. One move, and that it is all it takes. His head lies off without that much of a fight. The cut is so clean, there is no blood left to flow out. His neck is left, headless. The body drops on its knees, before collapsing on the ground. A couple of meters from them, his head rolls off. It all happens so fast that no one is able to stop it from happening.

. . . . .

They arrive too late. The other groups have received words from Mikleo about the change of plan through his magic, sending sounds through the water. They need to come and meet them in a different point. But by the time they reach the location, the damage has been done. They are just in time to watch as Nayla beheads their enemy in cold blood.

They should be glad that she has just eliminate their nemesis for good. But is this really a good resolution for their plan, what with all the surprises they discover.

How is she able to do this, though? A human girl, who has just suddenly got her water magic, now standing with a mystical heavy sword in her hand. How can a human like her overpowered a hellion like Lunarre? How is it possible that she is able to keep up with the creature long enough to behead him? Just what is going on?

This evening does not turn out as they first expected it to be. There is definitely no casualties, but that does not mean that not all of them are left unscratched.

Mikleo took most of the damage. He would have healed himself with his power if he can, but he is too hurt. His energy is too drained, and there is no other water seraph in their group other than him who can do it.

Nayla is still stunned, frozen on the spot from where she has just killed her enemy. She should have been happy, ecstatic. After all, she has just exacted her revenge for her late mother. But why does she look so empty inside?

The girl never have imagined that this would turn out to be so easy. It is too fast, too surreal. If she has not done it herself, she would never have believed this to be true. Her gaze hardens on the sight of the beheaded Lunarre, secretly hoping that he will come back to life somehow. This does not add up. He must have a backup plan. There is no way this can be so easy.

So easy.

Onyx.

The color of her heart once it has been tainted.

She has never felt so dirty, so corrupted.

This is the shade of her betrayal, for when she wants one thing, she has to sacrifice the other.

The girl betrays Mikleo’s trust in order to pay back what was taken from her. She thinks it is going to safe herself from all of this self loathing and misery, when in truth she herself is still in need of saving.

What will become of her soul?

She is so close to giving up, to reach out for his hand. But then Lunarre just had to ruined it. And now, Mikleo will not even look at her in the eye. She has disappointed him, she knows. She is extremely lucky that she has not turned into a hellion. The purple mist that has been bubbling up in and out of her body disappears, just as soon as she kills her enemy. The girl feels nothing. No wrath. No happiness. No satisfaction. She had thought that killing him would have brought an enlightenment in her life, but turns out it results in nothing.

She watches as people pass by, some thanking her for what she has done. Some of these people have their family and friends killed by the assassin as well, as it turns out. Still, she feelings nothing in return. Why does she feels so cold, so lonely and alone?

Mikleo is right. She shouldn’t have killed Lunarre. It makes her feel inhuman. She can feel a piece of her own soul ceasing to exist, just as her humanity, ripped apart from her soul in exchange for taking another life.

But it has felt so right to punish him, that it didn’t took much for her to end the guy. He deserved it, she tries to justify her actions. Though in the end, she has lost something precious in exchange for taking something else. She has taken a life in exchange for a piece of her humanity and a friend’s trust. And now she has to pay the price.

Solitude.

Nayla feels like she is the only person in this world, cold and lonely. She did not get along with Mikleo so well, and the her a month ago would not have believed that he could be her friend if she was told so. He has a certain influence in her, she knows that now. He has slowly turned from her bickering partner into a mentor and friend. He has taught her with adherence and patience — no matter how thin it is.

She has tried to talk to him, but he just keeps avoiding her. He must have hate her, she concludes. That is the only reason that she can think of. Now she truly feels alone.

Nayla has tried to visit him a few more times, but each time she arrives outside of his room, he will either turn her out or pretend not to be there. Sometimes he is not even in his room, and she looks around in order to find him. No one seems to know where he goes though, or they are just trying to lie for him. She does not know where this discomfort come from, but the the seraphs do not approach her like they used to anymore. They used to be friendly and all smiles, but now they look at her in weariness, as if afraid that she might snap at any moment. Another consequences for taking the path of revenge. They are afraid of her now. How can they not be? She has just killed one of their most formidable enemies.

She is not even sure anymore if it is alright to say in this castle. She no longer has a purpose in this capital. Her mission has been accomplished. Lunarre’s body was taken in by a different division for further examination; apparently they find it interesting that he did not disintegrate like the other hellion. They have confirmed that he is indeed dead, though some still have their doubts — like her. They all seem to be waiting for something to happen, still on the edge about the recent events.

Before she knows it, a week has passed. She is starting to pack up her stuff, planning to leave at the last minute. Nayla does not bring much with her to begin with, though staying in this place does save up her resources much more than she has expected, so she might be able to spare some of her money to buy something for her father. She wonders what kind of look he will welcome her with; disappointment and grief, just like everybody else who knows her?

Once her duffle bag is packed neatly, she heads out to town. She is just passing a random alley in the market area when she spots Rose walking by into a narrow lane, not seemingly to notice Nayla. Rose is wearing a cloak that hides most of her body, but Nayla learns to notice her particular scent. She smells just like her given name. The brunette follows the head merchant, her steps too light that Rose does not even hear her coming. That is when Nayla overhears the rosette’s conversation with another cloaked figure.

“—did they know—”

“—no but we should stay alert—”

“—is he really dead—”

“—seems like so—”

“—what about the people—”

“—they’ll be fine—”

“—I feel guilty—”

“—we only did what serve our purpose—”

“—if they know—”

“—they won’t. Don’t you dare—”

The two of them talk in hurry. Nayla barely able to grasp the context of their discussion when they quickly end the encounter and steps into a black door nearby, furthering their rendezvous. The brunette does not know what to make of this, expect raising her suspicion even more. How are they involved? Whatever seems to have happened, it seems like this man — this outsider — know about the plan to stop Lunarre, and has seemed to have feel bad about something he has done regarding it. What has he done?

There is one major failure that had tumbled down their entire strategy. It was Dezel who was supposed to end Lunarre’s life, before he can still be unaffected even when killing a hellion. He has admitted that he has done that before in the past, which was why the other members of the squad agreed to his volunteering so fast. And this plan was diverted because Lunarre had figure out what they are trying to do — well, at least the overall outline of it. What if it was not because he had somehow managed to eavesdrop on us? What if it was because of something else? A leakage of information? A fleeting rumor? How fast can an information this fatal spread through the walls of this capital district, if it is not because of a spy? 

No matter what has actually happened, Nayla can not leave her thoughts from her suspicion. Is it possible that Rose might have done something to compromised the plan? Will she ever dare to do such a thing? Isn’t she close with the group? Even if her suspicion is right, why would she ever do such a thing? What will the benefit of spilling their strategy to Lunarre might be? Unless she might actually have a secret agenda?

Who was the man Rose has spoken to? Another member of her merchant guild?

It is rather question when it comes down to her motives and purposes. After all, Nayla is not that close to the rosette, so she can not judge for herself. Nayla is not that close to any of them, considering that she has just met them over a month ago. But they are close to Rose, so they might be able to provide some solid evidence for this bit of information she has just uncovered.

At first glance, Rose appears to be a very cheerful and bright young girl. But those who are involved with the business world knows more than a thing or two from what they would seem to be. Can Nayla really brush this off? Despite not knowing much? This uncertainty is really bothering her, especially when it might involve a bigger scheme. Can she really trust Rose?

It is true that Rose has been busier than before, especially during the escalation of the planning and preparing. She has been off to her merchandising business more often, especially when nearing the Spring Festival. It would have been less suspicious when she is merely managing her trading work, especially when many outside merchant come to deliver some goods for the central district flow. But what if that is all just a cover for something else entirely?

Nayla is not sure what to do with what she has just uncovered. Does she tell the others? Or does she just mind her own business? She does not think the others will listen to her and take her seriously, especially since the brutality of the kill managed to cause a riff between them. Perhaps it will be better to just leave quietly. After all, the damage has been done. What change will that bring?

. . . . .

It is in the middle of the night when Mikleo finally makes a rare appearance and walks out of his room. He is just looking for a fresh air, with nothing else comes to mind. Everything has been pretty muddled ever since the night Nayla killed the fox hellion. The guy might have been dead, but the consequences of his elimination is haunting them, causing trouble in between the friends.

Mikleo does not know what to think of this revelation. At first he was sad and disappointed that Nayla took over the mission and made it her task to eliminate the threat. The killing came as a shock to him, as well as the others. They has never seen anyone behead another before, and the brutal manner of the kill caught them in surprise. They already know what she is holding a deep grudge towards the guy, especially Mikleo, but they never thought that she would go that far.

It is a self-defence, Mikleo tries to explain it to the others. Still, words can not make them feel any better. He is rather let down by her choice of action, to be perfectly honest. He had thought that she would at least let this one go. He knows what it feels like to have their loved ones killed — his neighbors and closest friends were killed by the same fox hellion — but that does not mean that it was okay to brutally murder someone in cold blood.

All of this just comes as a shock to them, that’s all. They will get over it eventually and start opening up to her again, he convinces himself.

And then, once he has felt better and able to cure the rest of the wound on his leg, he finally has a change of heart. Zaveid and Edna tried to help him as much as they can, even though their healing skills are nothing compared to himself. Still, he appreciate all the help he can get.

Mikleo feels anger towards the girl. How could she put herself in the line of danger like that. Not just once or twice, but several times more. Doesn’t she know how much he worried about her — fear for her? When she was tortured by Lunarre, Mikleo wanted nothing more than to come out from his hiding spot right that instant and save her. But the girl was so persistent, she merely shook her head. No. She wanted to wait for the others to arrive, so that they all can fight Lunarre off at the same time. But even back then, her sacrifices went for nothing, because something unexplained happened.

Omniseraph, he had heard them talking. Could it be true?

He has not mentioned this piece of information to anyone — got to time to, especially since he spent most of the first week lying down in bed, unconscious. He needed to preserve his energy for the healing progress. And before he knew it, days have passed and he did not have the chance to talk to Nayla about what he had heard.

He must admit that he still feel a little bit angry because of her recklessness, but he is only feeling this way because he cares about her. What if she had been badly hurt? Lunarre had almost ruined his leg during the attack. What if the hellion did not hold back and hurt the girl badly? She is lucky that Lunarre had been underestimating her, even until the very last minute. It provided her with the chance to defeat him, something that ironically any other professional combatants had not able to achieve.

The male seraph is about to make a turn towards the rooftop, when he encounters Nayla right at the corner. His eyes widen instantly, staring into those warm liquid caramel eyes. He does not expect to see her. What is she doing up at this time of night? The girl does not expect to meet him as well, judging from the surprise in her eyes reflecting right back to him.

But then his gaze drops and falls on the duffle bag in her hands.

“What are you—” He does not even get the chance to finish his sentence, before her face hardens and she scrambles out of the way, pushing him aside.

“Wait, Nayla! Where are you going?” She doesn’t stop walking and he just has to catch up to her. “Are you just going to leave? Without saying goodbye?” Why is she doing this? Why is she suddenly leaving? What has driven her to do this? He needs to get to the bottom of this. He picks up the pace when she does the same thing.

“I’m sorry, I just—” She abruptly spins around and faces him. “I need to leave,” she settles, before turning away.

“Wait. What brings this up? Talk to me,” he tries to stop her from leaving, grabbing her by the wrist to pull her back. He feels her jolting in place, most probably surprised by the strength of his grip. 

“I can’t stay. I need to leave,” she repeats like a broken record, pulling at her wrist in order to release herself. Mikleo does not let go though, only tightening his grip on her.

“You can’t just leave. We need to talk.”

“What, Mikleo? You want me to stay? I can’t!” she snaps. “Everybody hates me now. What is the point of me staying in here? I have no other purpose in here. There is no need to prolong this t*****e. I’m a monster, face it. Why do you still want to talk to me? I don’t understand.”

Her words are like a mental whip. He didn’t realize that she has been feeling this way. The thought never occurred to her that she is feeling secluded. And to think that all this time, he has been thinking about her.

“I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. I tried to—”

“There is nothing left to say. Just let me go,” she cuts him off.

“No, I can’t!” He grabs her with both hand, pulling the girl so close that the only thing she can do is look up, forces her to stare right into his searching violet eyes. “You’ve got to hear me out first,” he says through gritted teeth.

“What is there to say? What do you want, Mikleo.”

Is she serious right now? “Don’t tell me that you don’t feel it as well.”

“Feel what?”

Her snappy tone is really pushing his patience to the limit. Fine, if she is not going to admit it, then he is going to take the first step.

Mikleo leans down, latching his mouth right into hers. Their lips connect, soft yet craving. Nayla is too taken back to react, her entire body stills against his rigid one. He takes that chance to explore her mouth, devouring her lips angrily, swiping his tongue against her small, pucker lips. She tastes sweet, just like her scent, and he leans further in to deepen the kiss.

When she finally gets a grasps for the situation, she tries to step back, to distance herself from him to breath. But his grip on her is still strong, not allowing her to remove herself from him. She parts her mouth to sound her protest, but her voice is drawn out by his mouth. He slips his tongue into her mouth, gazing the texture against the cavern of her mouth, the reckless gesture almost causing him to nick himself against her teeth, before slapping his tongue right against hers.

Nayla moans into the kiss, because of her surprise and unreadiness. He leans in even closer, backing her against the wall until his entire body is pressing against hers, chest to chest, tongue on tongue. Having him against her, his body warm oozing off, and they way his musky scent engulfing her nostril is really intoxicating. She feels dizzy, but has never felt so alive before. It is really a gratifying sensation.

Her hands reaches out to wrap her fingers around his shirt. She is no longer fighting his advances, but being receptive of his kisses instead. He devours her like he hasn’t been fed for days. Lips are nipping into her bottom and top lips in turns, while his tongue is touch the inner depths of her mouth, tangling around her own tongue into an intricate dance. Nayla is left breathless by him, until her brain is reduced to nothing, only thinking of him.

Something hard and solid is pressing against her stomach demandingly, threateningly her with a silent promise that is bound to bring devious acts upon her person. Heat spreads across her body, from the stertorousness of her lungs and down to the pooling heaviness in her guts. They grow more desperate, and he must be feeling what she is feeling, if not more, judging by how hard he is straining against her midsection.

He pushes her to the point that both of them can’t breathe. That’s when they can not hold themselves anymore and part lips, bodies still entangled around one another. They share their breathe, the air fogging in between their faces. She can still taste him well in her mouth, and their saliva strings from where their mouth connects, straining far until it pops.

“This,” he says, full of emphasis, breathing hard. The girl inhales just as hard, her eyes a bit watery from the lack of oxygen and this hammering feeling inside her chest.