Lord Kino Margrave

"I really thought that place was my last, after the many that came before, this one seemed far better, but yet they were man-bat worshipers." I thought to myself then signed. I was sitting on the corner of Cemetery street, like most nights, alone, looking into the bleak nothingness that was this town, no one had walked by in hours it felt, even if they did, they never stopped. I stared out into the distance. I snapped out of again, gazing around now, my eyes began to adjust as I saw a dark figure appear, walking my way, the clothes they were wearing were all black it seemed, as they began to get closer, I could finally make out straight long black hair, a massive cloak like a cape that trailed behind him, his eyes were cold, I don't think he had another color visibly on his body other than his very pale skin, he was tall and his face as apathetic, "He must be a vampire or something." I thought.

His facial expressions never changed, as he quickly walked by me, suddenly he stopped looking towards me again, his eyes showed compassion as he then goes closer, "Are you alone?" he asked with concern

"Yes, why? I'm confused.." I looked at him rasing one eye brow.

"Without a home?"

"Yes? I'm always right here."

"Follow me," he said, as he began walking the other way once again I hesitated for a moment, I wasn't sure what to do, for he was a stranger, but I got up and quickly caught up to him.

We hadn't been walking long, but it felt like hours, for the silence was unbearable,"Who are you? If you don't mind me asking.", I asked in hopes to cure my boredom

"I'm Lord Kino Margrave, you can call me Lord, or Margrave, either is fine." as he said this he never once looked my way

"Oh okay, I guess you don't know my name either, im Kyra Waterstone, you can call me whatever. I've never been important enough to care."

There was a long pause of more silence but more awkward than the last so I asked, "Lord of what? I didn't even know people could still be Lords."

"Of death."

"Really?! That's insane though."

"No, not really." he paused as his sighed, "I'm Lord Margrave, meaning I hold power of a sort, higher than a king, lower then a god. The Margrave castle is mine, and many other things. Now do you understand?"

"Hmm, I think so. Basically, you just got a lot of power."

There was a long silence once again, but it wasn't so uncomfortable, finally arriving, seeing a massive castle as he said, it was dark and mysterious in every way, with massive towers, and branches. It's almost indescribable, I stood there amazed by its magnificence.

He looked at me with a slight smirk on his face, as we walked inside he said, "There's only one room that you're not allowed inside, that's the room next door to yours." we walked up the stairs that were to the right from the door

"I-I have a room?" I asked

He nods, as he opens the door to my new room which was the room on the right above the staircase, "Dinner will be done shortly, I expect to see you there,", he then looks at a servant who was cleaning down the hall, saying, "Get her clean clothes, and anything else that she might need."

"Yes my Lord." she walks into my room.

He slowly faded into the darkness as he walked away.

I began to glace around my new room, I was amazed for I had seen rich, I had seen poor, but this was nothing like I had ever experienced or expected to experience. The room was nice enough to be a Princesses bedroom, there were silky currents that draped down from the ceiling to the floor that wrapped around the bed, it was large itself, which the whole bed was red and black, but it was still elegant. The rest of the room was more of red color but not too bright.

"Is everything to your liking my Lady?" the servant asked

"Oh, yes. It's all beautiful. Thank you."

"There's plenty of clean clothes in the dresser there. If there's anything you need or want, give me a shout."

I nodded, "Thank you."

She bowed then left my room.

After the left, I shut my door after a bath I changed into a red silky dress that went a little bit past my knees, brushed my hair, trying to make myself presentable.

I sat on my bed for a while thinking, until I got bored. I could only think of that door I was not allowed into, "What was behind that door? And why wasn't I allowed in? What's so special about that room?" I thought as I snuck out of my room and to the door next to mine, beginning to turn the handle I felt an unsettling feeling in my stomach.

The same servant as before must of been near by for she suddenly appeared walking towards me as she said, "My Lady, if you turn that knob Lord Margrave will be furious, and we both don't want that."

"Im sorry, I know I shouldn't have-I got bored." I turned towards her as I spoke

"I would of done the same if I were you. Stay out of trouble okay?" she smiled

"I'll try my best." I walked into my room and closed my door behind me, "Well maybe I can try when everyone's asleep. She seems nice though."

After what felt like forever of trying to find something to do in my room, I began to hear a strange noise, sounded like someone playing the piano, but I only knew of Margrave and the servants living here. I quickly opened my door trying to follow the sound, I went through dark hallways and stairways after three floors down I found two old women both playing the piano, both had to be in their 50s or 60s, they had short brown curly hair, huge noses and green eyes, they were hideous but they had to be twins. I've probably dreamt not nearly as creepy of women in my nightmares. They both looked at me slowly, but didn't stop playing, my heart raced faster.

"Who-who are you two? Why are you down here like this?" I asked, fearing what they might confess.

The one on the right replied, "My name is Hazel, this is Jade, our Lord saved us from death, we praise him greatly." her voice was sour and gruff. After this they stopped playing.

"Yes, he's taking care of us. In the old days he'd let us sing to him." Jade's voice was different, it sounded more gravelly

"Oh-I-see-see, I should probably get back." I scratched the back of my head, "He's probably wondering where I am-"

"He won't mind dear, would you at least sing for us?" Hazel interrupted.

"You wouldn't want to hear it. I'm not never good."

"Nonsense, don't be shy."

"Um okay." I cleared my throat and took a deep breath in, "The world is ending, everyone is fading, chaos reigns, but you stay the same."

"You've got the voice of an angel, what is your name?"

"I'm Kyra-Kyra Waterstone-"

The same servant as before interrupted me by saying, "Lord Margrave would like a word with you my Lady. Please, follow me."

I nodded as I then followed her up the staircases, and through the hallways until we reached the study where he was sitting.

"What did you find down there?" he asked

"What did I find? I found two strange old women, rather creepy really, why we're they-"

"I don't want you around again, they aren't sane." he interrupted

"Sane? That's a bit rude don't you think? Can't I take care of myself?"

"I said what I said, and I meant it. You've proven to me that you're careless. So no you can't take care of yourself." he turns to the servant still in the room saying, "Take her to her room, make sure she does asi say."

The servant nods as she says, "Yes my Lord."

"But you haven't even answered my questions."

"I will see you at dinner," he said coldly

"Come on my Lady, lets leave him be."

I sighed as I left, it made me infuriated, as we reached my door I asked, "Why is it that I have to stay in here all day? Why won't he answer my questions?"

"He wants to protect you, he's just not great with words sometimes. He's kind he's just not the best at showing it. He doesn't do this for anyone you know." she smiled

"Why go to such an extent without any sign of emotion? Couldn't he just prove it?"

"He has a weird way of showing his emotions you just have to know what that way is. My Lady best get ready for dinner, I still have some preparation to do." she smiled as she left.

I braided my hair into one thick braid and sat on my bed for a little while. Then I decided to go ahead and go down there. Leaving my room I walk into the dining room which was down the stairs to the right, as I walked in there was a man already sitting at the table. He was definitely older than me I just wasn't sure how much. He was tan, not too small either, he had dark blue eyes and brown hair that was short and a bit spiky in the front, he had a kind face, only he looked like he had seen the end of he world and lived to tell about it.

"And whom might you be?" he asked with a smirk

"Me?-I'm Kyra Waterstone. And who are you?"

"I'm Shane, but that's all you need to know about me for now. He must have saved you in some way didn't he?"

"Yes, I suppose he did. I was living on the streets. If he hadn't had taken me in when he did I probably wouldn't of lasted much longer."

"Ah I see. Isn't this place strange?"

"A bit yeah. Do you know anything about the two women down stairs or why I can't see them? And what of the door next to mine?"

"Those two women aren't all there, they worship him like he's a god, they're delusional, he must care about you then. That room is a special room where they do prophecies and such. I've only been inside once, it's interesting inside, weird creatures and weapons is mostly what's in there."

"How odd, and I've never heard them roaming about. What kind of weird castle is this??"

"Im not sure-" he paused as he watch Margrave walk in and sit at the head of the table next to the both of us, me and Shane were across the table from each other.

"I see you two have met."

"Yes, at least he tries to answer my questions."

His eyebrows lowered as he looked at me, he seemed bothered, "Like what?" his tone was fierce

"Like who those two women were and why I can't see them. Or why I can't go into the room next door to mine, or why you didn't think to add the fact you don't live alone."

"If you have questions come to me, and only me. You may not like the answers but they will be truthful." the more he spoke on the matter the more he seemed upset.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it. My first q-"

"Not here."

"Pfftt" I covered my face with my hand

He began to stare at me as if he was trying to understand what I was doing

Shane glanced at me and then at Margrave a few times then said, "Alright, so is dinner almost ready?"

"Probably. What's your story Shane?" I asked as I looked him in the eyes

"Oh-I'm-I'm just visiting." he looked away

"Dinner is served" one of the servants say as they place the plates in front of us, "I assume this is all who will be joining us."

Margrave nods.

After a long pause of eating and silence I asked, "How old are you uh Margrave?"

"You can call me Kino, I'm 35."

"Alright Kino it is, how about you Shane?"

"Older than you I can promise you that. And you Kyra?"

"I'm 32."

"Ah, so you two are close in age. Who would have thought?" he smiled.

"No one, now how about we just eat." he was grumpy like he had a long day

We sat there in silence while we eat, it was a bit awkward, with a lot of glancing and a lot of silence.

Kino seemed as if he was beginning to lighten up, maybe he was just hungry, "Were you took care of?" he asked

"Oh yes, they were very kind. As are you, I truly appreciate your kindness." I then felt my cheeks get red

His facial expression finally changed as I said this, he had joy on his face, he was obviously trying to hide his smile but he couldn't, "I'm glad to hear it."

I smirked, "He's kinda cute this way, all flustered." my grin grew bigger as I thought

He suddenly turned his head away from me, and closed his eyes, as if he were in deep thought.

Confused I thought, "Maybe I freaked him out, I mean I was kinda staring, hopefully I didn't freak him out." not realizing what I as doing, I was starting at him trying to figure out what could possibly be going on in his head, once I realized Kino was staring right back at me, but he looked extremely confused.

"Something the matter?" he asked

"OH-no-no just thinking, I space out from time to time." I was so embarrassed my cheeks flushed red, so I covered my face with my hands trying to hide it, "Please stop looking at me, please stop looking at me." I thought

He chuckled quietly, for he covered his mouth with his hand, at the sight of me, he cleared his throat before asking, "Wine?" as he held the bottle in his hand gesturing to poor it.

"Uh-yes-yes please." I answered as I removed my hand from off my face, as soon as he finished pouring it I grabbed it taking a sip I instantly my a sour face.

He smirked, "Haven't you had wine before?"

"I hadn't exactly had the time to drink, most of the houses I lived in barely had enough food on their tables or a stranger, let alone alcohol, if they did they never offered me any. I wasn't very old when my parents and siblings were killed by manbats, I was only 10. The point being I wasn't lucky enough to have even had a home to live in after the disease, well until now." I paused realizing I was talking a lot more than I wanted to, "I didn't mean to ramble so much, sorry." I quickly looked down at my feet.

His voice became toneless as his face grew more stern, he replied, "You don't need to apologize. We've all felt the loss from this disease in some way or another, we-I understand what it's like to lose someone. It must have been rough, especially you being so young when it happened." he quickly sipped the last of his wine, "Kyra would you like to join me? I'd like to show you something." he said as he got up and began walking away.

I finished my drink as I sat up and waved Shane goodbye then got caught up to him. "He fascinates me. And his voice, it's so smoky or in other words thickly which means deep I think. What a man." I thought to myself as I walked with him. The longer I followed him, the longer I wondered where he was taking me and how long it would take, for it was silence, then I asked "Where are you taking me?"

"Somewhere only a few people have gotten to see." he smiled slightly while looking back at me as he said this

I was a little concerned for we had been walking for a while now, down a few staircases and hallways, it was rather dark everywhere you'd look, we reached the end of the massive hallway of the fourth floor when he suddenly stopped at the door in the middle of the wall that divided the left side from the right side, he then said as he opened the door, "This where I spent most of my childhood."

"It's breathtaking," I replied as I looked around the grand library, "if you don't mind me asking, why here? Why didn't you play outside? Like a kid."

"Its the place I always knew I could see my Father when I was younger, he never stopped his studying and writing, always scribbling or putting his nose into a book."

I studied him for a while, thinking about what I should say next, "I understand, that must of been painful. Always getting pushed away never getting any attention as a kid. I don't remember much of my parents or my family. I mostly remember avoiding them, and constant fights between my parents. My siblings had moved out by now and were way older than me. They were all there that night. My Dad was always at the shop, my Mom always working. If things were different I probably would have had a better childhood and a better life. But they all died except for me." once I finished speaking I quickly looked down at the ground

"Could I-should-can I hug you?" he replied sheepishly, as he then spread his arms out

"Of course." I smiled, he looked afraid so I quickly hugged him tightly, I was so small compared to him, my head was at his chest, he wrapped his arms around me as he began to relax, it lasted a while but it wasn't uncomfortable or awkward. There was silence but it was warm, like hugging a warm kind giant. He had a good scent about him which I didn't expect, he was calming. I could of hugged him for hours.

"I-I shouldn't have-we should have. No, no. I don't want to hurt you. I-I can't hurt you. If we get too close-" he began to pull away

I quickly interpreted, "Hey, it's alright. You're not going to hurt me. Why would you hurt me? Why would someone who cares as much as you do, hurt me?"

He then let go, "I could. Kyra listen to me, tomorrow I have to do something important. Please promise me you'll be safe and stay out of harm's way. I can't let something happen to you." his voice wobbled as he spoke as if he were afraid, he had his hands on my shoulders

"I promise I'll be okay. I still don't understand, why would you want to hurt me? And what's with this sudden worry?" I was puzzled. I thought he cared about me so why would he ever want to harm me?

"It's not a want to. I don't want to harm you. But sometimes I can't control myself, sometimes just being around me, will cause you harm. I'm dangerous Kyra." he began to calm down a bit.

"Take a deep breath in and out, nothing going to happen to me. I promise." I gently brushed my hand on his cheek as I gazed into his eyes, once I realized what was doing I quickly moved my hand and placed it to my side, I suddenly felt heat flow to my cheeks.

He began to redden, "Uh-I'm-I'm sorry. We shouldn't. I'm sorry don't mean to rush. I'll see-see you in the morning." he quickly let go of me and began walking in to the distance

"Its-its okay" I mumbled, as I watched him disappear into the blackness. I then began walling the way we came, hoping I don't get lost, after a few minutes that later forever I finally made it to my bedroom, walking and shutting the door I quickly took off my dress, putting some soft clothes to sleep in. As I laid there in bed I couldn't help but think of Kino, "His face was so smooth and soft. He was so warm. What am thinking??! Falling for a man like him, a ghost, a mystery. Claiming I'll get hurt. Maybe I just need to sleep." I thought as I began to fall asleep.

"Five more minutes."

"Fine. You have an letter for you, it's from Lord Margrave." she said as she began handing it to me

"Really? For me? Why didn't he just talk to me in person? Eh whatever, gimme." I quickly got up and grabbed it from her, it said "Sorry for acting so strange last night. I was caught off guard. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

The servant smiled as she watched my face glow

"Well maybe he's shy"

"Maybe a bit. Breakfast will be ready shortly." she quickly left the room shutting the door behind her

Finding a dark grey flowy shirt that went past my hips a bit, and some tight light grey jeans and tall black boots. I brushed my wavy hair with a comb and went downstairs. I sat at the end of the table once again beside where Kink usually sat, he was late as usual or on time for either one. But it seemed on purpose like last time. So I spoke to Shawn as I waited

"How are you today? " he asked

"Well, I think. How are you?"

"I'm well, starving for sure. "

"I don't normally have an appetite in the morning. Those two women probably won't ever join us will they?"

"No they won't. Kino seemed like he's protecting you." he mumbled, "And so am i"

I still heard him clearly, I was confused as to why he had to whisper, "It doesn't want you around, then why are you here?" I paused, " Do you happen to know what today is? As in an event or such."

"It's not important. If you still want to know ask him, he has answers I don't have. " he paused, "He's doing his prophecy again today that's all I'm aware of. Did I miss something?"

"No thats it. Is he a vampire? A werewolf? Something of the such? If not then why does he insist so that he's dangerous, if he is then why'd he take me in, why be kind if he's evil?"

"I don't know. I know less then you do apparently. I don't think he's any of those but I'm not certain. He does have the likeness though."

Kino suddenly walks into the room, he sits down at the head of the table. "Good morning Kyra." he looked at me, ignoring Shawn.

"Good morning Kino. Is this all who will be going us?"

"Yes no one will be joining."

The servants bring out the plates of food, sitting each plate in front of each of us

"I hope you're okay with eggs and bacon," she said

I replied, "I'd prefer this any day, food is always better than no food. Thank you."

Kino asked, "Kyra, how'd you sleep?"

"Well, and how was yours?"

"Well enough."

There was awkward silence once more as we finished our breakfast.

Shane says after a little while, "Im heading home today. If all goes well. I'm going home to my family."

"Oh, you are? I'm happy for you! How many kids do you have if you don't mind me asking."

"Three, two daughters, and a son. My youngest daughter didn't make it, she was infected with the disease she passed a few years ago."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know."

"How could you have known. You've inky just met me. We've all felt loss. But I thought it's about time I go home, after being saved I was afraid. I've pushed it off long enough."

"Well, I hope everything goes alright.", it was honestly an uncomfortable situation, I didn't know what to say.

"Will you see me after breakfast Kyra?"

"Of course!" I quickly finished eating, Kino had finished before me, as I began to leave the table I told my goodbyes to Shane, "I hope to see you again someday, Shane."

"You too. Thanks for everything you've done for me, Lord Margrave. I'm in your debt."

Kino nods, we then started walking in the opposite direction walking close beside each other, "I'll be busy all afternoon. There's something I must do, but you can't go with me. It's the reason I was claiming to be dangerous. I have a dark secret that you're probably not going to like if or when you find out. If you follow me you will reap the consequences. Do you understand?"

I've never heard him speak so plainly to me, he must do meant what he was saying by the tone of his voice, "I'm not a child you know. You claim to be dangerous but you won't tell me why or how, can't I be the judge of how I see you? I'm not staying in my room all day just so you can do some prophecy."

"I assume Shane told you about the prophecy, this doesn't change things. But I warned you, remember that. My servant Riye will take care of you if you let her. I must go before it's noon." after he spoke his body language became loving as he hugged me tightly for a moment, looking me in the eyes as to be let's go, then walks away.

"He really doesn't expect me to just comply and lay in my bed all day or roam around while he's doing something like this, does he? I mean how boring. Finally something worthwhile in my life and he expects me not to be a bit concerned or interested?" I thought as I followed him from a distance

As I followed him up the stairs I began to hear piano playing once more but this time it sounded more creepy, it gave me goosebumps. Sounded like it came from an old horror film. I followed him into the room next door to mine, I wasn't going to just wat outside not after the piano started.

He must have known I was following him or was going to for as soon as I walked in the door he wasn't surprised, rather he seemed glad, "This is the prophecy of the beast, and the bride, this is the prophecy of the beast and the bride." he chanted over and over as his voice began to deepen, while he paced the room

I was puzzled for I had never seen a prophecy in my life, I didn't even know what it all meant. I sat down on what looked like a bed, he glanced at me with a smirk of his face

He paused for a moment as he asked, "You've never seen a prophecy before have you?"

"No I haven't, everyone died before could learn"

He then took a dagger that had been laying on a table, breaking it in half as he said, "those women think I'm calling their prophecy, the prophecy of the serpent which is not one to be called here."

"I see, that makes them evil I assume."

He nods in a yes, after this he continued cheating the same phrase as before pacing back and forth, "im calling the prophecy of the beast and the bride, I'm calling the prophecy of the beast and the bride." as he was chanting he suddenly fell to the ground on his knees

"Are you okay?" I asked in a panic, as I stood up

He stuttered in between grunts, "No! Don't-dont come any closer. I'll-hurt you." his voice was weak, as if he were in pain, he suddenly screamed loudly it sounded like a mix of human and some kind of beast, his skin began to fade into grey as his eyes turned white.

"You won't harm me." I said asni walked closer to him

He grabs me before I moved another step, he was fast, now getting his face closer to mine as he spoke his voice was deeper and rougher than before, "How can you guarantee?"

I felt his breath blow on my face as he spoke, "I trust you."

"Why? Aren't you scared of me?"

"No, why would I be? For the same reason, you wouldn't hurt me is the same reason I trust you."

His lip twitched on the right side, a most like an animal, he seemed irritable, he brushed the side of my face gently, then taken a deep breath he began to calm down, "I'm surprised."

"What happened to you? I'm not sure I understand that part. I've seen my share of the disease but never like this."

He let go of me as he take a few steps back and said, "I was one of the first test trials. My Father thought that I would just become immuned, he didn't want me to get the disease sense I was heir to the throne at the time. He didn't know id become this. Sometimes it can be painful to hold my old form, I can't explain how I can do so, to begin with. All I know is I should have died or become a man-bat that day."

"Why would he pick you like that? Wasn't he afraid it wouldn't work? Couldn't anyone else have done it?"

"My Father thought I would just get immune to it as I said. They never thought THIS would happen. I'm immune but I'm a monster."

"I don't think you're a monster. Unique sure. But you're a survivor, that's a good thing. Plus you're too kind to be a monster."

He was quiet for a moment while he thought about what I said After a little while more he said," When they injected me with the disease, I was so afraid I didn't know that it would create the person I am today, this thing that I am today, sometimes I think I would've been better If I had just died. It took an entire month of injections for my body to change even remotely. I was too immune as it was. Once I had awoken and I was changed I killed everyone in the room it was brutal it was bloody it was not something I want to ever do again. And now half the world is gone and what's left of it is being consumed by man bats or the disease." he paused for a moment, "And here I am with you."

" i'm glad you're still alive. I still see you as a good human being." I grabbed them in a hug as he can put his arms around me, We hugged for a while and it was really comfortable and quiet. I knew I didn't have to say anything because what was unsaid was felt.

" If only my father could've seen you." he mumbled

"And if he could?"

"Hed smile at me, saying 'This is your one chance to be happy, don't waste it.'"

"And what would you say?"

"I'd reply, 'Yes Father, I won't waste it."

"And how can you be sure you'll be happy?"

"Because you make me smile."

"And what a wonderful smile."

His smile grew wider, as he held me in his arms

"What-what are we doing?"

He immediately begins to let go, "What?" his voice wasn't as soft as before, he had became fierce once mkre

My the corners of my mouth flaten, "I wasn't mea-"

"No I understand perfectly. If you need anything ill be gone." he interrupted

My voice began to wobble as I spoke for I was shaking, "Where-where will you be?"

"You're shaking, are you feeling okay?" his eyes showed concern, and he didn't sound so fierce, he took my hand helping me sit back on the bed that was behind me

"Thank you, but ill be fine I think."

"You don't look as if you'll be fine. Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you?"

"Doi look that ill?" I paused, "I probably just need water."

"Riye can get you some." he quickly got up leading the room to fetch Riye, "Riye! Hurry and get her water please."

She nods as she jogs off

"I should just go to my room," I said as I tried to leave the room

"No you're shaking worse than before, I'll take you to your room." he picks me up once again, carrying me to my room

As he did so I couldn't help but stare at him, on a mission, what a hero. Running into Riye in the hallway she follows us into my room, he laid me on my bed gently, as Riye handed me some water, I sipped it then said "Thank you, I appreciate all this. I think I just need to rest for a little while."

"You don't have a fever," he said as he put his hand on my forehead, "Is there something I should know Kyra."

I said, "Alright, so I'm not fine. I've been feeling gross lately, I just didn't think anything of it until now."

"Have you....did you check if you were infected?"

"Yes. I'm not infected. Kino I think a little rest will help for now."

He kissed my forehead then left the room shutting the door behind him

I waited until I thought he was gone, quickly got up and left my room trying to be quiet, "I need air" I thought, I ran out the front door, then found a spot on the ground and laid down as I took a deep breath in and out, "Wow, the stars are bright tonight." I said to myself, seeing a shooting star I forgot why I was out there.

Kino quietly makes his way to me, laying down next to me, "Are you feeling better?"

I jumped a bit for he frightened me, then looked him in the eyes as I spoke, "Better-better I think."

"You don't mind me joining you do you?"

"Not at all." I smiled

"Do you stargaze often?"

"When I was younger I would come outside every night to see the stars, after the beginning of the end of the world, I began to forget the little things, I used to believe that each star represented a person on Earth, but when half the world faded the stars never did. Perhaps it was only make-believe."

"The stars don't fade when we do because it's a reminder that they once lived, that we should continue to live. They're smiling down on us."

A comfortable silence stretched between us for some time, I couldn't keep my mind off of him even though he was right beside me, and I couldn't help but glance at him. My stomach rolled

"Don't move, don't say a word!" he said as he quickly but silently got up and began looking around almost in a panic as if he was trying to listen for something

"What is it? What's wrong?" I whispered

"Shh," he said when suddenly a strange sound from the bushes arose the bushes from the woods, sounds of leaves ruling and heavy footsteps that sounded everywhere at once, faint but close. It was pitch dark, I began to tremble in fear.

"Be careful." my voice shook

A sharp screech began flooding my ears, not too long after the sound of wings flapping in the distance echoed, then finally it came of out nowhere the sounds of it were ear piercing, the dark-winged creature flew at Kino in a passion

"Hey!" I paused, "Leave him alone!" I cried out in hopes I would at least scare it off

"No, Kyra don't!" it began to let go of him locking eyes with me as he walked into the light, "Run, Kyra, run!" the manbat was massive, looked buff as well, it's skin was brown with a hint of red and black, and it's teeth were red.

Immediately I turned around and ran as fast as I possibly could, as the manbat runs after me, Kino attacks it from behind in an attempt to choke him he wraps his arms around his neck, "Die already!", the manbat then grabs him by his arms slamming him down of the ground, Kino stood up, his eyes glistened like the moon as he growled at the manbat, he scared me more than the manbat did, suddenly my heart began to race as everything around me spun unknowingly hitting the ground

"Kyra!" he slips out his sword, while the manbat was on top of him trying to snap at him, it bites his shoulder as Kino yells in pain, finally he stabs him in the heart he pushes him off of him laying on it's back.

Running towards me, he then stops next to my body, picking my little body up from the ground, carrying me inside, he takes me into his room and lays me gently on his bed and covers me up

"Kino" I mumbled quietly as my eyes began to close.

"Shh you're alright now." he smiled as he gently grazed my cheek, "I promise."