Labyrinthine Obscurity

Moonlit Pact

I blame myself for all of this. Being on the run, dragging her through this hell, everything. She could have had a life of perfection. One without me always there to screw it up. That however was screwed by fate. Do I hate the fact or it’s results? Not much, at least, not as much as I probably should. Why? Again I am at a loss, and this time I don't want the answers. Every breath I'm allowed beyond this point, I’m sure it isn't for me, but for something more. It is in that fact that I live on, and she's the one who taught me that.

"There it is, the Remei Seion Inn." Kei said, "I'll get us a couple rooms." Without any further deliberation he entered the inn. The exterior had the kind of looks that could only be found in fantasies. Dark hued wood with ornately inlaid windows, and ivy climbing the walls in small, spaced apart strands. Kei walked back out just as I had finished admiring the buildings exterior.

"Well, there's an issue. We could only check into two rooms, so we're going to have to choose roommates." Kei said apologetically.

"We'll you guy's can’t all take one room, so I'll share mine with Oniza, and Kei he won’t do anything. He rescued me and nursed my wounds while I was unconscious and didn't try anything, so I know he wont." Ayane said in response to Kei's look of astonishment.

"Fine by me." Raize said bluntly before entering the inn. Kei didn’t even tried to argue his point.

We had all finally entered into an even more beautiful sight. The wooden interior was a warm golden yellow, the large stone fireplace crackled with a fire burning a sweet-scented wood. Finely crafted tables and chairs filled the back half of the room, and a bar and check-in area where located on the other end.

Yet all the warmth of the room couldn't warm the sudden chill that ran along my spine. A ruthless looking man in a dark toned, wide brimmed hat was clearly studying me. His eyes seemed to pry at the secrets I hide, topping it all off his entire air screamed hunter.

"I am going to head to our room," I told Ayane "I feel my presence here will only cause us problems." I nodded a farewell to the man who seemed so interested in me, earning a slight tip of his hat in return.

-- Canas --

Something hadn't felt right about that man in the black cloak, I couldn't read him that well, but he read me. He looked half soulless and trapped in guilt. However that wasn't what had unsettled me. It was just his demeanor. His gaze had shown a man torn by the flames of hell, but he carried on as if he hadn't felt anything. Even for one as stoic as me, his pain hurt. Anyways I had better things to do, like heading off to get at the roots of the countryside's biggest rumor and bounty, on some low-life called Oniza. A picture would help find him though. The night, however was too pleasant to waste.

-- Back upstairs --

Again this place is amazing. The rooms are fully furnished with oak dressers, mirrors, sinks, and a bed with probably the most comfortable bedding I had ever felt. The room itself was perfect; the balcony had a beautiful view of a lake surrounded by trees of kinds, and the moons image danced on the water’s glassy surface.

"Raize and Kei went into town to get some supplies, and you would've been alone so I decided to stay." I hadn't even heard Ayane enter the room. "So, are you okay? You know being in larger city and all,” she asked as she joined me on the balcony.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I wasn't always a loner." I smiled "Besides, I'm making friends as I go." She smiled back and then hugged me. This time I had no intention of letting go. I basked in the warm embrace, savoring every second I could.

"Good, cause I don't like it when you’re all depressed or quiet." she said softly.

"I know. I just can't help but blame myself, not for what happened to you, but for this. We'd never be out here running and hiding if only I had kept calm." I gazed off into the distant silvery hued waters. I felt her spin around in my arms to admire the view with me as well, which dropped my arms down around her waist.

"It was time to leave that town anyways," Ayane said brushing my comment off in a way.

"I guess, but I would've liked to have left by choice." I laughed. "You know something though? As much as I wish this situation were different, I am glad this is happening." I felt her hand move overtop of mine, and without thinking I tangled our fingers together. Nothing was said for a short time after in which we just watched the horizon.

"Me too," she said. Her eyes shimmered beckoning me to drown in their crystalline blue irises. “It’s getting late, we should get to sleep,” she said

"You can have the bed, I'll sleep on the floor." I offered but she wouldn't have it.

"You, out of all of us, need your rest. So you’re able to lead us, to protect yourself, and so that we can travel at all." She said determinedly "I can share a bed." she finished with the argument killing point that the bed could fit both of us, with room to spare.

"If you say so." I smirked before climbing into the large bed. She rolled her eyes, pushed me then laid down and covered herself with the blanket. I laid there for a while watching the candle I had lit shrink slowly. Then half forcing myself, I tried to get some sleep. It was no sooner than I had gotten comfortable that Ayane, still sound asleep, slid over pressing her back into my chest. I wrapped my arm around her waist and fell asleep.

--Meanwhile--

"What! What do you mean he's getting through the swarms of bounty hunters after him!" a hooded figure said outraged at the small, balding man before him. "He must be caught at all costs! Do I make myself clear?" he said coldly

"Cr-cr-crystal, s-s-sir, c-c-consider him as g-good as d-dead." the balding man stammered in fear. The hooded man huffed, released his hold on the other man's shirt and then strode out into the dark of night. He mounted his horse and then took off at a gallop to the lord's manor that was located on a hill no more than two miles outside of the bounty outpost.

Upon reaching the cold stone fortress, a voice rang clearly into the night. "Identify yourself, or be shot where you are." it demanded unwaveringly.

"It is I, Raikel. Now let me pass" the hooded figure demanded and was rewarded by the opening of the grand fortress.

"Ah, Raikel. Master has wished to see you, very much he has." Another hooded figure appeared, but he was smaller slightly hunched, and his eyes possessed the look of insanity. "He says it is of urgency. I suggest you hurry." he said as if to remind Raikel of something.

"I'd be there, if you didn't waste my time as such, you annoying cretin." Raikel snapped at the other man, then headed straight towards the main hall. Hundreds of thoughts flooded Raikel's mind, all of which he knew wouldn't be good for his health in any sense. His master was angered, three times now he'd failed, and he doubted a fourth attempt was an option. As he swung open the large oak doors he was greeted by a voice that chilled even his blood.

"Raikel...Do you know what this night is?" It resonated from the darkened room, like a specter that hovers over your shoulder "It is the first full moon, the one in which the protector grows even greater, as does what he is guarding." it snapped before Raikel could attempt to answer the rhetorical question. "Have you any idea of the problem this creates!? He's not alone! He is only the first! More of them will appear, drawn to protect the power. Every passing day they survive is another setback in my plan. However much it would please me to end you, I wont. I can still use you. Instead my faithful, and trustworthy priestess, Lonasa shall accompany you. She will keep your incompetence in check, do not fail me again." The voice shouted the last words, causing Raikel to flinch.

"Yes, m-master. Thank you for this opportunity to fix my mistakes." Raikel bowed at the direction of the other end of the room before leaving it hastily.

--Back at the Inn--

"Boy! Boy get up!" A voice rang through my head. My eyes snapped open, and I was shocked to find myself nowhere near anything close to being considered an Inn. "Finally you listen, I've tried to wake you all night,” the voice said exhaustedly

"Where are you? Come out so I can see you!" I called into the impenetrable darkness. I was standing in a field with nothing else around. The moon shone brightly with its crown of stars further illuminating, the night around me. Yet even with their light it was nearly impossible to see.

"Do you believe yourself ready to face your demons, child?" The voice asked accusingly

"If I must, then I shall." I replied coolly. The air around me began to swirl gently drawing in a fog that I hadn't noticed before. It culminated into the spot where my eyes where focused. It slowly thickened, growing into a massive swirling cloud before me. Then it began taking shape, the fog somehow taking on a solid presence in the field. From all the legend and lore I had read, I knew the form of this beast. I was in the presence of a dragon. "You! You're the beast that has caused this hell that I endure!" I said now able to put form to my tormentor.

The dragon merely laid down in front of me, but kept his head up as if listening to my accusations. I knew I alone was no match against a dragon, so I said nothing else. I sat realizing that the dragon for a reason, I had yet to find, had summoned me there.

"Ah, I see you are curious as to why you are here." it stated my thoughts "I have brought you here to make our pact." it said bluntly

"Our pact? You mean to tell me I'm not the only one...like me." I asked half fearful that someone else was dealing with such a burden.

"Not exactly, you are the only one who is 'like you', but there have been others before you. Through out the ages, my mistress has been reborn in many forms, all of which faced great peril, my duty is to protect her, along side of four others whose fate has grown intertwined with ours." the dragon explained "All will become clear in due time, we have other matters to discuss." it changed topic as if sensing the multitude of questions that had just arose. "I have slowly granted you use of a few of my talents; however, my power is a great force to handle. That is why I must make this pact." it started "Do you swear, on the very breath you where given, to use my powers for only good purposes?" it asked

"I do." I replied thinking only of protecting Ayane from the mess I had created no matter what it required I sacrifice or pledge.

"And do you swear to do whatever it takes to see our mistress is safe?" It asked emphasizing his point

"Always." I said my voice seemed cold and vicious even to myself. The dragon stood, unfurled his wings, and then spoke.

"Good. Then our pact has been made, and now it shall be sealed." a searing pain rippled through my back. In a shower of what most likely was my own blood, a pair of wings appeared out of my back. The world around me swirled violently, and I closed my eyes, giving into the overwhelming darkness that heralded my unconsciousness.