Blood War

Heat. Too warm, hot. It’s burning me. The screams of people as they and their homes are destroyed. I run, searching for my mother amide other villagers cries. I stumble on some broken stone and fall, bruising my legs. I cry out, hurt and scared.

“Mother! Mother!” I cry. But no one hears or answers my call. I am all alone. I get off the ground, and continue my search. Corners after corners I turn, desperately looking for a familiar face. The people around me are strangers. Unknown. Frightening. I whimper. Someone pushes me down and I fall painfully to the ground. I grunt, but get back up. Finally I see my mother up ahead.

“Mother. Mother!” I cry, running towards her.

“Reine! Get away! Go away...” her cry ends with a gurgle as a man slices her chest open. I scream as her blood pores like a waterfall down her chest. With a snarl the man turns to me, his eyes glowing a bloody red. It licks its lips, slowly approaching me. I cry out in fear, stumbling backwards as I realize what I thought was a man is a horrible monster. It has fangs like steak knives and razor-like claws. It lets out a hiss before it pounces, teeth and claws aimed at my face. I close my eyes, not wanting to see my own death. I hear the thump as something hits the ground, but no pain. I wait, expecting to feel teeth at my neck or claw in my side. Seconds pass, and still nothing, so I warily open my eyes to see a boy stab a sword through what I would guess is the monster’s heart. He then turns to me, eyes flashing in the light from the flames.

“Are you alright?” he asks, approaching me carefully. “Don’t worry, I can take you somewhere safe.” The man then bends down, offering his hand. I look at him fearfully. “It’s ok, I am not going to hurt you. I just want to help.”

I narrow my eyes. “I am not afraid of you. It’s just...I can get up on my own.” I scramble to my feet, hiding how painful it is. If there is one thing mother always told me, it was to never show weakness to a stranger.

“Alright young one. What is your name? Mine’s Ares.”

“I am Reine.” I say, looking the boy up and down. “You don’t look like a soldier. Where did you learn to fight like that?” Ares smiles. “Follow me and you will find out.”

***

I huff, my breath coming out of me in audible gasps as I block another one of my opponent’s attacks, his short sword pushing hard against mine. Finally, I free my sword and slash at him, our previous tackle throwing him off balance so that my current attack would have sliced his throat.

“And stop! Good job, Reinie.” My sword instructor calls, walking over to me and giving me a pat on the back before going to my sparring partner and talking to him. My chest heaving I rub my sweaty face with the sleeve of my shirt, my training clothes already damp with sweat.

“Can we have another round?” I ask, pushing my damp silver hair out of my eyes.

“Sure, but against me this time. Think you can do it?” My instructor asks, his light brown eyes glinting challengingly.

“I can sure try.” I say lightly, a responding smile appearing. My instructor huffs at my confidence before charging me, drawing his longsword in a flash of steel. Snarling I jump away from his attack, knowing that my short sword was at a huge disadvantage in close quarters with a long sword. Tending down into a crouch I go on the defensive, trying to see a moment to strike as I dodge my instructor’s attacks. Seeing no other way, I decide to wait till he charged me then slip to the side, dodging his blade and then I push myself around and behind him, allowing my blade to come around and pretend to slit his throat, ending the fight. Letting out a huge sigh of air I fall backwards, plopping down on my butt, trying to slow down my breathing.

“You did good. I was impressed by your calm and clear calculations; not every soldier can keep his cool while at a clear disadvantage. Keep this up, and you’ll become quite the deadly opponent.”

“Thanks Instructor.” I puff, my head bent towards the ground.

“I think it’s best we call it a day, we’ve been out here long enough.” My teacher says with a grunt, telling me to take a shower before he walks off, the few soldiers that were my sparring partners limping after him. Smiling in satisfaction I walk back inside, humming softly to myself. The cold stone walls and floors have always calmed me, the clicking sound of feet against stone familiar.

“Reinie!” A voice calls from behind me, the sound slightly bouncing in the long hallway. Turning I feel my smile widen as I see Ares, his blonde hair bright against the dark grey of the church walls.

“Hey! What are you doing out here?”

“Training.” I respond, flashing a satisfied smirk. “Father Aidan got permission for me to be sword training in the afternoons.”

“I thought some of the trainees were limping.” Ares laughs, the sound of it making my whole being feel warm. “Jesus Rain, one of these days you’re going to seriously hurt someone.”

“Only because most of them are halfwits.” I say, rolling my eyes causing Ares to snicker. “Anyway, I have to go get clean. Don’t you have some special Elite thing to do?” I can’t keep the spite out of my voice, despite having plenty of experience.

“Hey you know duty comes before anything else. Once you’re a phantom you’ll-

“Yes yes, I know. I, a lowly trainee, don’t understand the awesomeness and great responsibility that a Elite Phantom undertakes. You don’t have to tell me.” I snap, angry at how much his dismissive words hurt. Quiet fills the hallway and stretches the divide between us, Ares’ quiet sigh speaking volumes. But before he can say anything I hold my hand up and mutter a excuse at my turned back before running off, knowing only too well that Ares would just sigh and turn around, not bothering to even call after me. That’s just how our relationship is. Close, but at the same time as distant as the Earth is to the sky.