The Rezo

Chapter 3

“Any Rezo who turns a human into their own kind becomes slave to the one turned. This is the price they pay for giving the human new life… The reborn human must then forget life before being a Rezo or there will be heavy consequences…”

ooo Jase ooo

I slowly opened my eyes. It was still dark.

Anger… Hate… Ozer… Desmond…

Oh, yeah… Now I remember.

But what I remember more clearly is…

I smiled bitterly. “I dreamt of you again.”

“Of who, Jase?”

I almost jumped but I relaxed when I realized whose voice it was. I gave a small smile to my Rezo.

“Him, Chruse,” I told her softly. I looked up at her, remembering what happened before the dream. My eyes widened and I felt humiliation, disappointment and hurt fill me. I quickly tried to get up but I was still somewhat dizzy from what that blasted Ozer did. “I don’t want to see you.”

I knew it was the wrong thing to say and she looked as though she was close to crying again.

“How heartless… If she does intend to leave, we’ll all know the reason why.”

I glared up at the newcomer before staring at his hair. It was black… Wasn’t it a pale blond?

“Your hair…”

Desmond took a strand of hair and observed it with a bored look. “Oh, this? This means you annoyed me so bad I had to use my powers on you.” He then looked back at me, his gaze piercing. “Don’t make the mistake of doing it again. I can do more than diffuse your powers.”

I clenched my fists. “I’m not scared of you,” I growled. I then remembered what he said and looked away. “Let me reword that… I don’t want you to see me, Chruse.”

I remembered all the things I said. Placing my hands together, I thought of my escape spell. Cowardly, I know, but I really didn’t want to talk to Chruse yet.

ooo Desmond ooo

He ran away.

Coward.

I walked over to Chruse, my hair returning to its usual color. For Ozers, there is always a physical sign that signals the use of power. Mine was my changing hair color from blond to black.

“Just give him some time,” I told her soothingly. “He’ll come back.” If not, I’ll drag him back here, gagged and chained.

She looked up at him, her green eyes bright with unshed tears. “It’s because I left Alistair that he thinks that I’ll leave him as soon as I get attached to someone else, isn’t it?”

It took me a moment before I answered. I knew the story about her and Alistair and her assumption may be correct. Even Chruse hasn’t told me the real reason why she left her Rezo because I’m sure that Jasson couldn’t be the only reason. And I have met Alistair. I sense no evil from the older and powerful Rezo.

“It may be,” I eventually said. “If you left Jasson for me and you found someone else to get attached to, I may have my doubts as well.”

Chruse lowered her head as she trembled with obvious hurt. “I’m a deserter! That’s why my Rezo Master – my beloved Jasson – does not trust me!”

I clearly have to talk to Alistair. Maybe I have to convince him to talk to Chruse. I don’t think he’s visited her in a while – while in Rezo terms.

I sighed. I thought about what Jasson said. “Let me reword that… I don’t want you to see me, Chruse.” “To tell you the truth, I think Jasson felt guilty for doubting you.” I hesitated. “Do you want me to knock some sense into him?”

Chruse shook her head, wiping her tears away. “No. I’ll wait for him.”

I smiled at her. “You’re a strong person, Chruse.”

She smiled back and I felt better.

Now to visit Chruse’s own Rezo…

ooo Jase ooo

I need a victim…

I closed my eyes and concentrated. Drawing a small six-pointed star, I poured a tiny amount of my reserved power to open the line to the summoners. Instantly, I received about thirty summons…

Greedy, useless, lazy…

No time to think about that.

I picked one of the marble-sized balls floating inside and I was teleported to my newest victim…

An old lady…

I stared at her in disbelief. An old lady? She looked to be one of those grandmother-types too… the ones who bake really nice cookies or cupcakes. With a pang, I remembered my own grandmother – the only one I met.

But what could this granny want?

“Are you the Rezo?” she asked me in a slightly weak voice. I saw that she had been crying. I cursed inwardly. I hated it when old women cried… well, the nice ones anyway.

“Yes, I am a Rezo,” I confirmed. “What do you wish of me?”

With shaking hands, she grabbed my own one. “Please… My granddaughter is dying… I’m already old… I want to die instead. Just save her. Please!”

I quickly pulled my hand away and gaped. Is this…

Is this my very first moral summoner?

I hesitated. I just… hesitated.

Could I really kill a good person?

I thought of Chruse… Of what happened with her last “victim”… How did she do it?

But the old woman grabbed me with a strength that wouldn’t be apparent at her age.

“Please let me die instead! Please!”

She was looking at me with desperation. “I-“

“Please! I’m begging you!”

Closing my eyes, I quickly did the spell. When the light I emitted disappeared, the woman stumbled and I caught her. She looked up at me and gave a small smile.

“You’re a kind person.”

Then she closed her eyes.

I stared hard and long before I roughly shook her. “I’m supposed to be on a break from being an emotional wreck!” I screamed at her. “Wake up! Don’t die on me!”

But she was already gone.

I looked at the serene features… That was the very first time I saw that expression on any of my victims…

What have I done?

I saw too much of my own grandmother in her. The grandmother who raised me… took care of me… loved me…

Shutting my eyes, I turned around and began to run…

Only I slammed into something warm and comforting arms wrapped around me.

I looked up at the beautiful, ethereal face.

“How come you’re always there whenever I’m at my weakest?” I asked, smiling tearfully.

Ciel gave me a gentle smile in return. “It’s because this Rezo cares for you.”

I rested my head on his chest. “I hurt Chruse again.”

The hold tightened.

“Jase,” he began softly. “You know that Chruse will never leave you. She loves you too much. Instead of seeing Desmond as a rival, why don’t you look at him as a brother?”

I stayed silent, my thoughts racing. I may be a brat – that I can admit – but it’s very hard to remain a brat around such a reasonable person like Ciel.

“I don’t want him as a brother,” I mumbled. Ciel pulled slightly away to look down at me and I looked up at him and his questioning expression. “Too damn beautiful! With him around, who will notice me?” Ciel laughed – his nice warm laugh.

“Right,” Ciel agreed. Then, eyes glinting mischievously, he added, “But you’re starting to be around me a lot as well. Wouldn’t I be a threat for attention too?”

I gave him a considering look though I was already smiling inside. “If you keep your attention on me, I wouldn’t mind so much.”

“Are you flirting with me?” Ciel asked, an eyebrow raised; his amusement was clear.

“I would never flirt with my brother,” I gave him a dismissive reply. His smile became gentler and I knew he was touched by the words.

I gave the woman one final look before looking back at Ciel. “Let’s go back to Chruse.”

He only smiled and offered me his hand.

ooo Desmond ooo

I still wonder if it had been a mistake to go to Alistair… I didn’t want to leave Chruse alone yet I believed that I needed advice. After all, I am not accustomed to handling pea-brained, idiotic brats.

“The boy ran away from my dear Master Chruse?” the deep and seductive voice questioned lightly though I knew better. “He must have hit his head somewhere.”

I gave the powerful Rezo a bland look. “That’s what I thought. Do you have any suggestions on how to control him?”

Alistair looked at me with those piercing golden eyes. I have always known about his power – never known the extent and by not knowing, I know just how powerful he is. “You, Ozer, of all people, should know that Rezos are uncontrollable – even the ones who are formerly human. No… But you can handle him.”

I understood the difference. “I need to be more subtle, coaxing and gentle.”

Alsitair’s smiled the smile of a teacher pleased with a student. “I always knew you learned quickly. That’s exactly what I said.”

“That is not an easy thing to do,” I told him, hoping he remembered how headstrong the fiery redhead was.

The Rezo reached out towards me, taking a strand of my hair between his fingers. Beautiful and alluring, he knew how tempting he was. But he also knew that I was immune to his advances.

“You are so very beautiful, Desmond,” he told me softly. “You’ll find a way.”

My eyes narrowed. “What does my beauty have to do with this?”

Alistair’s golden eyes glinted. “I suggest you follow the boy in one of his nightly escapades.”

My confusion grew. “What do you mean?”

There was something… something he knew… “Has our dear boy recently mentioned the name Jivin in his sleep?”

I remembered the name. “Yes, he did. Just last night.”

Alistair nodded, his expression knowing as he pulled away. “Ah… Then you must keep an eye on the young one, little Ozer.”

Jivin… this Jivin… Whatever it is, it is important.

I turned to leave.

“By the way, my dear boy,” Alistair suddenly spoke. I looked back at him to meet his intense golden gaze. “Give Chruse my love.”

I merely looked at him for a moment before walking off. I thought I heard him chuckle but I couldn’t be too sure…

Now I had to follow that brat… And he’s been gone for the whole day.

I looked at Chruse. She had calmed down and the usual emotionless mask was in place.

“Do you want me to search for him?” I asked her. She shook her head.

“I will wait,” she said quietly.

I nodded and then I heard the front door open.

“Chruse? Desmond?”

I walked towards the entrance to greet Ciel and was surprised to see Jasson standing close to the older Rezo, almost leaning towards him.

“Jase…” I looked over my shoulder at Chruse.

I never saw him move… Never saw him come near… But a mere moment later, Jasson was in front of the shorter Rezo, his arms wrapped around her in a tight hug.

“I’m so sorry, Chruse,” he whispered. “I’ll never leave you again.”

A slow smile crept up Chruse’s face. She hugged her Rezo Master back as strongly.

“You’re forgiven.”

I looked at Ciel and he gave me a smile which I returned.

“I got my very first kind summoner today, Chruse,” I heard Jasson tell his Rezo. I slowly turned towards them, curiosity nagging at me. “She reminded me of my grandmother.” He added more quietly.

“It was a bargain… Her life for her granddaughter’s.”

Chruse’s reply sharpened my attention. “It’s not only that she reminded you of your grandmother… But, also, the fact that it is a bargain…”

My excellent vision showed me how Jasson squeezed Chruse tightly. The female Rezo immediately stopped.

A bargain? What was it about a bargain?

“Let’s go to sleep,” Chruse told her Rezo Master gently. Jasson nodded and they left together for one of the rooms. I turned to Ciel.

“Where did you find him?”

“The woman’s place,” Ciel answered. “I followed him after sensing he was playing the field.”

“For Chruse, I thank you for taking him back,” I said quietly. Ciel only nodded.

“I’ll see you again one of these days, Desmond.” I expected him to leave but he continued to look at me.

“What?” I demanded, starting to feel self-conscious.

Ciel blinked as if drawing away from his stupor before smiling brilliantly. “You are very beautiful, Desmond.”

I stared at him, wondering why I was suddenly receiving praises for my looks. But before I could ask, he left already.

Clichéd as it is, something is amiss…

ooo Jase ooo

I looked down at my sleeping Rezo. Gently, I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. Chruse always looked so angelic and innocent when asleep – and oftentimes, also when awake.

Giving her a soft kiss on the cheek, I slowly and quietly crept from the room.

Outside, I looked around me to make sure the Ozer was nowhere around. I swiftly left the house.

“Cameo,” I called quietly. Despite my soft voice, the albatross heard me. “You know where,” I whispered to her. I grabbed her legs and she flew off into the night…

…towards a destination I knew all too well…

ooo Desmond ooo

I watched as Jasson flew off into the darkness. Casting a simple invisibility and flying spell, I followed closely.

After passing through a teleportation ring, I saw that we were in a suburb near a city…

Where is this place and what was was his business here?

ooo Jase ooo

I just used to watch this apartment… Never daring to go too near. But with all the dreams lately…

I stared, hesitating and anxious.

What was I doing here?

But… For too many years, I’ve been dreaming of the same person… the same face. But I knew that face had already changed. I knew it. I have already seen what the years have done to him.

But I can’t just watch anymore…

Not anymore…

I knew he would be awake. I knew he was a late night person. But what if he had someone with him?

I was breaking a fundamental rule of the Rezos… But I didn’t give a damn.

I finally pressed the doorbell.

For the longest minute, I stood there, holding my breath.

Then the knob turned… and the door was pulled in…

Then the face emerged… and a shocked expression passed on it…

Before a smile that shocked me appeared…

Jivin’s eyes were as warm as I last saw them…

“I’ve been waiting for you, Jase.”

And I threw myself in his arms…

The person I exchanged my life for so he could continue to exist in the world I could no longer be a part of.

I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. He was taller now… so much taller.

“I thought you would run away screaming,” I whispered, bringing my face close to his.

“How could I?” he whispered back. “You’re as gorgeous as ever.”

“You’re weird…” Our faces were so close…

“But that’s the reason you fell for me in the first place.”

I pressed my lips against my lover’s.

A/N: If you’re confused, don’t worry! Explanations will be coming! Thanks to all those who read and review!

Phoebe – Yay! You’re still reading! I’m glad you think it’s fresh! LOL! It’s different from the other stories I write and I felt like being daring! Hope you liked this chapter!

Darkness-is-shiny – LOL! (hugs back) Thanks! I hope you think this chapter is good too!

Ice and Snow – Haha! LOL! Thanks for the compliment! Sometimes, I find it hard to look for the right words too… Hehe…

Aneedegorarose – Woah! You’re reading this too? YAY! It’s okay… I was just doubting myself for a second there but it turns out I have nothing to worry about. Thanks and keep on reading!