NARRATOR
Flames engulf the Fountain Garden as Castra is on the floor holding onto her shoulder, blood streaking down her arm. Fenora kneels next to her, breathing hard. Their loose, thick trench coats are in tatters, soaked in blood, with dirt all over.
FENORA
Come on! Stand up.
CASTRA
I can't.
NARRATOR
Castra shakes her head. Her vision blurs in and out as Fenora looks down in thought.
FENORA
Then drag yourself through the gate, she won't be able to follow.
CASTRA
And what about you?
FENORA
I'll hold her off.
NARRATOR
A loud CRACK sounds in front of them. They look beyond the fountain. A beautiful piece of work where a maiden is on her knee with an arm outstretched almost in prayer. Beyond, a woman stands. The water spraying out of the statue's arm obscures the view. She wears a tainted white dress, a bloodstained rectangular great shield on her back that was clearly meant for someone far larger than her, and two broadswords in each hand. She walks towards Castra and Fenora.
FENORA
She's coming.
CASTRA
You need to run.
NARRATOR
The woman walks around the fountain. There are no eyes, only sockets, as black tears run down her cheeks. Her jaw dislocates, and her mouth stretches letting out a howl. Fenora stands and gets between Castra and the woman, holding a dagger. The bleeding on Castra's shoulder intensifies, and her breathing is like sandpaper on skin. It lifts both broadswords overhead, and covering the distance to Fenora, swings down. Fenora rolls to the side. The broadswords connect with the ground making the floor vibrate. She stands and turns to find it is already there, midswing. She blocks with her dagger, however it shatters and she is flung against the surrounding walls, knocking her unconscious.
Castra falls, while her vision blurs, as a figure walks in front of her, wearing a trench coat with a hood, holding a scythe. The figure launches towards the woman, and all goes black.
Castra wakes up, sitting straight. Forearms up. Bandaged and shaking as a woman walks toward her from one side of the large room, lined with beds from wall to wall.
MAIDEN
Ah Castra, good to see you awake again.
CASTRA
Maiden?
NARRATOR
She is covered from head to toe in black and white. Only her face is exposed. A wrinkled face with a smile that is cracked into place. She sits on the bed with Castra.
MAIDEN
We were all worried about you.
CASTRA
How did I get...?
MAIDEN
Fenora carried you here.
CASTRA
Fenora?
MAIDEN
Yes. She told us everything.
CASTRA
Everything?
MAIDEN
Yes, about how you were attacked by the wolf beast, and how you protected her.
NARRATOR
She places her hand on Castra's cheek. Castra gives her a half smile.
MAIDEN
Such a brave girl.
CASTRA
Where is she?
MAIDEN
Oh, she's with her brother helping the younglings.
CASTRA
Oh.
MAIDEN
I'm glad you are back in one piece.
CASTRA
Maiden?
MAIDEN
Yes Castra?
NARRATOR
The door to the infirmary opens and the High Deacon walks in, draped in white. A solemn face with soft eyes that look into your soul.
HIGH DEACON
Ah, so the warrior is awake.
MAIDEN
Wonderful is it not?
HIGH DEACON
How are you feeling young one?
NARRATOR
Castra looks down and nods.
MAIDEN
Now, what were you going to ask?
CASTRA
Oh, it's nothing.
HIGH DEACON
Come now, if you have something you wish to ask, it is best to ask, than to not and regret it later.
MAIDEN
We are all family here.
NARRATOR
She hesitates for a moment.
CASTRA
Is everyone else?
HIGH DEACON
All three groups returned unharmed. The higher beings look down on us with favour.
MAIDEN
Indeed they do. That makes five travels in a row.
HIGH DEACON
So how are you feeling Castra dear?
CASTRA
I feel like I can move.
HIGH DEACON
Good, then feel free to go when you please.
MAIDEN
But High Deacon her wounds are–
HIGH DEACON
Are nothing we have not seen before, she is already in good spirits, let her leave instead of spending another night alone in this room.
MAIDEN
Yes, High Deacon.
HIGH DEACON
Continue to look after Fenora, and yourself.
CASTRA
Yes, High Deacon.
HIGH DEACON
Good, good, now run along.
NARRATOR
Castra nods reluctantly. Jumping off the bed, she walks towards the door.
HIGH DEACON
Oh Castra.
CASTRA
Yes?
HIGH DEACON
Have you yet made your decision?
(Pause)
HIGH DEACON
For your coming of age. You ARE eighteen next week.
NARRATOR
Castra forces a smile.
CASTRA
Almost.
HIGH DEACON
Good, good.
NARRATOR
Opening the door, Castra leaves, walking through the halls that are covered in mold, cracked floors, and stained windows. She opens the door at the end of the hallway. The sun brightens up the world around her, luscious greens, reds, and violets fill her vision. A group of children play while a handful of people watch over them. Fenora is sitting at the steps with her younger brother, Jaden, in front of her. He smiles and Fenora turns to Castra.
JADEN
Castra!
FENORA
You're awake.
CASTRA
Yes I am.
NARRATOR
Castra sits next to her and rubs Jaden's mop of hair.
CASTRA
Miss me?
JADEN
She did.
CASTRA
Oh? And what about you?
JADEN
I knew you'd be fine.
CASTRA
How's that?
JADEN
You always are.
CASTRA
Good to know someone believes in me.
JADEN
Of course.
FENORA
Go on then.
NARRATOR
He smiles and runs to play with the rest of the children. Fenora looks at her bandaged forearms.
CASTRA
Just a precaution.
FENORA
That's good.
NARRATOR
She looks at Fenora's forearms. Runes tattooed onto her skin from wrist to elbow glow bright blue.
CASTRA
I hate that about you.
NARRATOR
Fenora smiles as they then watch the children play.
CASTRA
You lied to them.
FENORA
Did I?
FENORA
You know what would happen if they knew.
CASTRA
I saw him.
FENORA
Garrol?
CASTRA
God no.
FENORA
He's been getting more aggressive lately.
CASTRA
Don't even.
FENORA
So, who did you see?
CASTRA
I saw the reaper.
FENORA
The reaper?
CASTRA
That's who saved us.
FENORA
The reaper's a ghost story.
CASTRA
A ghost story that saved the two of us.
NARRATOR
The door creaks behind them.
GARROL
Well, well, the sleeping princess is finally up.
NARRATOR
She rolls her eyes, ignoring him.
GARROL
Not even talking to me?
CASTRA
I'd prefer not to talk to you at all.
NARRATOR
Garrol sits next to Castra.
GARROL
Is that how you speak to your future mate?
CASTRA
You will never be with me.
GARROL
For now. I am eighteen soon, and I can have anything I want.
CASTRA
I am not a piece of meat for you to own.
GARROL
Yet.
(Pause)
GARROL
Want to join when the time comes? I'm sure I can satisfy you too.
NARRATOR
They stand and leave Garrol behind.
(Pause)
NARRATOR
At night, Fenora and Castra lay, holding each other. The room is a tiny cell with a door, four walls, a window, and a bed.
FENORA
You're running out of time.
CASTRA
I know.
FENORA
What're you going to do?
NARRATOR
Castra leans in and gently kisses her.
CASTRA
Do you trust me?
NARRATOR
Fenora nods.
CASTRA
Run away with me.
About the Creator
BoblobV2
Writing about anime, and anything else I find interesting.
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.