Peter and I made it to the inn I stayed. When I turned fourteen, Lucas had me moved to an inn with the excuse that the Dyani manor simply didn't have enough rooms, which was obviously a lie. But not that I minded it anyway. I was honestly grateful I didn't have to stay there anymore, but it still saddened me that I would be away from Isha.
The inn was a bit far, but not enough to arouse any rumors from the villagers. One thing Lucas loved more than himself was his reputation. Peter helped me up to my room.
"Thank you," I said quietly as he was about to leave.
"I'm just doing my job," he declared.
I chuckled, "Yeah right."
We both know what Lucas would do to him if he ever found out Peter helped me back to the inn, and not just opening the cold room door like he was instructed. Peter was one of the servants, and someone I consider relatively as a friend, even though he barely say a word to me. Today is the first time he's said more than three words though, and usually I do the talking.
". . .As a human," he clarified.
"Oh," I said, feeling odd. I've never had anyone except Isha treat me like I'm human. It was certainly an odd feeling.
He hesitated as I was about to go in. I looked at him, "Is there. . .something else?"
He looked down nervously, not sure if he should say it, "Why do you always let him do it?"
Oh, so that's what he was nervous about. I sighed, "I don't know. Because I technically can't do anything?"
"It's because of her isn't it," He blankly said. It's funny how he and even Lucas knew about my feelings for Isha, and she doesn't even realize it.
"Maybe," I muttered. He sighed in annoyance.
"Kira no one is that oblivious, you're condemning yourself to a life of torture just for one person who doesn't even look at you," he reasoned.
This is like the hundredth time he's told me about this. For someone who doesn't talk much, he does say a lot.
"And for the thousandth time Peter, Isha isn't like that," I said.
I was right though. Isha was a caring and kind person by nature, it's even written in her blood. I just didn't want her know the horrible things her father did. I didn't want her to ever know what it was like to hate a father.
Peter looked like he wanted to say more but stopped when he saw my goofy smile and heart-shaped eyes as I thought about her, even with the agonizing pain on my back. My sweet, innocent, kind Isha.
"Very well then," he resigned, "I hope you don't regret it."
I didn't reply as I was busy daydreaming as he left. . .or was it nightdreaming? I shrugged, pushing open the door and walking in.
Then I sigh in exhaustion, dragging myself to the bathroom. I took off the now bloodied blanket and sat in front of the mirror, then I took a bowl and a clean cloth, beginning my routine of cleaning the wounds despite the intense fatigue I felt. After that, I took a cold bath because I was too tired to boil the water. Then I bandaged myself the best way I could since I couldn't afford a doctor. After everything, I laid on the bed and left the lamp on, letting the sleep take over.
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I sat in my room the next day, sharpening my blade. Then there was a knock on the door. I set the blade aside, briefly wondering who it was before opening the door.
"Come on we need to hurry," Isha said, barging in.
"Uh hello?" I said, "and how did you get past your dad's guards."
"I snuck through the window," she smirked, "now we need to hurry before they notice I'm gone."
"Wait, where are we going?" I asked.
She looked at me, "Hunting, silly."
"Isha, no sorry I-I can't," I said in fear. But she didn't notice.
"Pleeease," she pouted, "you promised not to go back on your word."
"But your father. . ."
"I'll handle him," she assured, "pretty please?"
Even my back was yelling at me at this point. But as I stared at her giving me the doe eyes, my resolve crumbled. That was my kryptonite. I smiled, "Fine."
"Yay!" She hooked her arm in mine, dragging me out of the inn. I'll endure hours of beating just to see her smile. After all, I am going to protect her. Right?
She chatted all the way to the forest, but I wasn't paying attention. All I could think about was her hand hooked in mine.
"So this is it?" she said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah," I replied, "come on!"
We went in, exploring the woods. She stared at everything in awe. I taught her how to hunt some animals, but she was too soft-hearted and chickened out when I shot a deer an arrow. So we gave up hunting and decided to explore the forest instead.
She saw a dying flower and plucked it from it's roots, sad about it. I just stared at it blankly as she showed it to me. But she looked at it like she understood what it was going through.
"It's just a flower," I told her.
"I know," she sighed and kept it down. I suddenly had an idea.
"Come, I want to show you something," I took her hand and went to another side of the forest.
Then I moved some branches out of the way as we entered an open field. A field of dandelions.
I heard Isha gasp softly at the amazing sight. I found this place a few days ago during one of my huntings.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, walking closer.
My violet eyes only focused on her as she marvelled at the sight. She looked really enchanting as the southern wind blew across her long hair. I heard her chuckle and ran into the field, then turned to face me, a glint in her amber eyes.
"Well, I was thinking I wasn't fair on you during the race," she said mischievously.
"Really?" I played along, walking towards her as she moved back.
"Mmm hm, so I'll give you one last chance to prove yourself," she told, "catch me if you can!"
Then she ran away giggling. I smirked, "Oh you're on."
I chased after her, though slower than usual as I didn't want to start bleeding in front of her. That would be embarassing. We ran and played around the field like kids for almost an hour before I tackled her to the ground, both of us laughing.
"Gotcha," I smiled while panting as I straddled her, holding both her hands above her head.
She smiled, watching me softly. My breathing slowed as I stared at her mesmerizing features, captivated. I couldn't look away even if I wanted to. I unconsciously leaned in, my gaze darting towards her lips.
"Kira?" She quietly called. This snapped me out of whatever trance I was in. I put on a smile and pulled her up.
"You're a really fast runner," she chuckled, trying to ease the awkwardness.
I smiled as we sat on the field, staring at the sunset. I didn't even know if she liked women. But it doesn't hurt to try. While this world isn't against loving women, they're some who still think it weird and unnatural. I hope Isha isn't one of them. I stole a few glances at her occasionally, before mustering the courage to confess my feelings.
"Isha?" I hesitantly called.
"Hm?" She answered.
"I–"
Suddenly, the wind howled through the trees, sharp and wild. The air turned heavy, and the clouds darkened, swirling like a storm was brewing above us.
"What's happening?" Isha asked, her voice trembling slightly as we both stood.
Then, right before us, the wind twisted into a small whirlwind, spinning until it burst apart. When the dust settled, she appeared — the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
She wore a black gown that shimmered like obsidian, her raven hair cascading down to her waist. Her eyes were deep and dark, endless as the ocean, and the aura around her pressed down on us — powerful, suffocating, and impossible to ignore.
"Who are you?" Isha demanded, bold as ever.
The woman blinked, as if the question genuinely surprised her. "Seriously?"
A cold shiver crawled down my spine. Something about her felt wrong — wrong in the way the air goes still before lightning strikes. I instinctively pulled Isha behind me. The woman's lips curved upward, amused.
She brushed her fingers lazily across a patch of flowers, and they withered to dust at her touch.
"Let's see…" she mused, her tone soft and deadly. "Two girls, running around a field of dandelions. One with powerful magic coursing through her veins… and the other—" Her gaze locked on me, and I felt my stomach drop. "—has none at all? How interesting."
The realization hit me like a blade of ice. My heart stuttered.
Suddenly it clicked and I briefly widened my eyes in fear.
"Isha," I called out, "run."
But she decided to be stubborn, "No, I can defeat her."
"Isha you're not listening," I turned to her, "you need. . .to run."
Even though Isha is the golden heart, she's still in yellow mana level and can't defeat her. At least not yet.
"But–"
"How romantic," the Evil Sorceress remarked indifferently, "but I advise you listen to your girlfriend, honey."
"She's. . .not my girlfriend," Isha retorted, her cheeks flushed. I smiled a little at this. Does Isha perhaps feel the same way for me?
I drew out my blade, holding my stance, "We don't want any trouble, we'll just go our way, peacefully."
The woman looked at me amusedly, "Your girlfriend doesn't seem to think so."
I looked behind me to see Isha making a fireball. Shit.
She hurled it — then another, and another — until the air was ablaze. The explosions shook the field, and for a moment, everything fell silent.
"Kira, did you see that? I defeated her," Isha said happily. Even I was shocked. That was easy. Too easy.
Then the smoke cleared. And she was still standing there. Unscathed. Not even a speck of ash on her dress. She smirked.
"Impressive," she mused, "I suppose it's my turn now."
"Isha RUN!" I yelled as the sorceress lifted her hand, conjuring a massive orb of blue fire, its heat warping the air around it. But Isha stood there transfixed, unable to move.
The sorceress shot the fireball at her. II didn't think. I dove, acting fast and shoving Isha out of the way just as the fireball hit. . .but I wasn't fast enough to save myself.
The world exploded into blinding heat and pain. I felt the burn before the impact threw me back, my body crashing hard against the ground.
"KIRA!!!" Isha's scream echoed somewhere far away as everything blurred.
The last thing I saw was the sun dipping below the horizon — the light fading — before everything went dark.
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