Chapter 1
LIHUA.
The room was cold. I held back a shiver, Mistress Feng had warned us against showing any weakness in front of the elders. Once we had all filed out in front of them, we sank on one knee, heads bowed, eyes staring at the floor. We were forbidden to look at the elders. I could feel their cold eyes boring into my back through their masks as they read out our names. Today I will be branded with the clan runes. I will be an official clan member. If my body survives the runes.
My knees trembled as the screams of the girl being branded echoed through the room. The metallic stench of blood permiated the air, making each breath of air stiffling. There a thud a second later. The girl was on the floor. Unconscious. Dead. Fear gripped bubbled in my gut as I waited for them to read the next name.
"Lihua......."
I gasped as the carriage jolted forward yanking me out of my dream. I blinked a few times, rubbing my fingers against the runes on my forehead,
trying to gather my bearings as the implications of my current action fully dawned on me.
I pushed away the curtain flaps and peered out the window of the carriage. Bright fairy lights, strange glowing lamplights and colorfully dressed passerbys zoomed by, hawkers weaved in and out of countless carriages.
I leaned back against the leather seats of the carriage. The city of Cretö was every bit as colorful as Min-Hyuk had told me. Min-Hyuk she must be worrying where I was, I glanced down at the intricate fox mask that lay on my lap and the letter that lay beside it. I closed my eyes I couldn't afford to think about my clan now. I had to keep going.
The carriage came to a halt and I climbed out paying the carriage-master twenty silvers for his service. It was only when the carriage had trotted out of sight that I remembered that I should have asked for directions to an inn. I sighed, guess I'll just have to find one myself.
I felt so out of place amongst all the colorful, skimpy dressed citizens of Cretö. I considered asking one of them if they knew any near by inns but I was too shy, they were so touchy and loud, that it was overwhelming. I wondered how Min-Hyuk coped when she had to complete a mission here.
After wandering around the street, I decided it was best to ask one of the townsfolk, I couldn't afford to spend all night on the streets, besides I was starving. I tapped a young man about my age, his torso was bare and his trousers hung so low I could see his undergarments. His exposed skin was painted blue with strange swirling patterns.
The words dried in my mouth as he turned to face me. His face! It was covered in paint and not only that but his lips and nose were pierced, decorated with silver and bronze studs. He smirked at my flabbergasted expression, "what's wrong pretty girl?" He asked leaning close, ingoring all concepts of personal space. I subtly leaned back. An uneasy smile tugging on the edges of my lips. "Um, do you know any nearby inns?" I asked.
He grinned, "what a coincidence I'm heading towards an inn right now." I forced out a chuckle, "what a coincidence indeed." Throughout the entire walk to the inn, he kept rambling on and on about the towns, the parties, the girls exctera exctera. Gods! This man could talk.
We reached the inn at last and I was more than ready to settle down and sleep. Unfortunately the inn wasn't quite what I expected. The music was so loud I could hear it before I set foot inside, the music itself was fast and sensual. Most of the costumers were shamelessly grinding on each other, flashing their gentials without a care in the world. I was flashed more times than I could count. Those who weren't grinding on each other, were publicly sucking face or making love, some gambling and other downing alcohol like it was water.
I turned to The man who brought me here, about to demand why I was brought to a bar instead of an inn, but he had vanished into the crowd. "Great," I muttered. I glanced around looking for some kind of attendant.
I spotted a young woman, by the bar, she wiping it down and I quickly made my way there. I took the empty stool and she turned to face me, she had dark hair with a spray of freckles. "What do you want?" She asked gruffly. "This is an inn, right?" I asked. Just for confirmation. She raised a brow, I was starting to feel stupid.
She looked me up and down. "You're a foreigner?" She asked. I nodded. She sighed, "that explains it." I frowned, so this wasn't an inn? "There are lodging here but it's usually reserved for people like that," she said waving to a couple making love against one of the tables, "who decide to continue shagging past opening hours," "shagging?" I echoed. Did she mean love making? "Shagging, humping, sexual intercourse," she clarified she replied like I was a child. I suppose I was to her.
"Oh," I muttered. "So do you know any actual inns?" I asked, "there aren't any 'actual inns' around here" she replied. I sighed, "do I have to have a partner to get a room?" I asked, she shrugged. "I don't know, I've never seen anyone ask for a room without one," she said.
Gods! Why was this so hard? "I'll pay double, it's just for one night" I pleaded, She sighed. "Fine, that's thirty bonze coins." I dug into the pocket of my white pants and produced a sack of bronze coins, "there rooms upstairs, chose any you fancy."
I could still hear the music from upstairs. Did they have to play such loud music? I sighed, nevermind that, how was I going to sleep with all this noise? I rubbed by temples, steeling myself. 'Keep it together, it's just one night, one night and you'll be out of here,' I told myself.
I opened the door to one of the rooms and instantly regretted my decision. A couple, furiously engaged in their passionate love making occupied the room, the bed creaked and ungodly noises assaulted my ears. I stumbled backwards, the couple didn't even notice me, I closed the door and made my way down the corridor, why didn't she mention this?
I knocked on the door and when there was no answer, I assumed the room was empty. And thankfully it was. The room was small, with the bare essentials. A wash basin, a small bed and a dresser. I dropped my bag beside the bed and flopped on the it.
It was softer and fluffier than I expected. I sat up and dug out the letter from my pocket.
I opened it and read it's contents for what felt like the millionth time.
Dear Lihua,
I'm sorry you had to find out that way, but I'm glad you're standing up for what you believe in. As I hoped you know understand my reasons for treason, don't worry about Min-Hyuk she's stubborn and loyal to a fault, but she will see it someday, what the clan truly is. I suppose you're planning on leaving the clan and since you have no where to go, I humbly offer my house as a residence, I've attached the map to the letter.
I'm very proud of you and I can't wait to see you.
Your sister.
Tien.
I unfolded the map and traced the path to where Tien lived, right on the outskirts of Slavia. I closed my eyes, some part of me felt free, happy that I had escaped my clan, but a bigger part felt guilty. I left Min-Hyuk, Akihito and Li-Jie with a simple miserable letter. Tears pricked the back of my eyes. Li-Jie would be heartbroken and probably have some rage-tantrum, Min-Hyuk would try and calm him down but it would be useless and Akihito, he'll probably mask his pain with a smile.
I took deep breaths, I couldn't afford to cry, not now, I had to be strong. The journey to Tien's house would take weeks, plus the clan would no doubt send assassins after me, better I was dead reathe than spilling the clan's secrets.
I swung my legs out of bed. I couldn't sleep, not like this. I made my way downstairs. It was empty, I had barely noticed. I guessed the 'inn' was closed for the day.
Outside was a different story, townsfolk stl flocked the streets and they seemed to be headed in the same direction. Where they headed to a bigger 'inn'? A town festival? A town meeting. Curiosity ate at me and I ended up following the crowd.
The townsfolk poured down stone steps into what looked like an arena. There were round stone slab seats for spectators, and a fenced ring with runes marking them. I wondered what kind of sport would be taking place.
ARRYN.
My hands shook as I tried desperately to keep a steady grip on my rune needle. Aeon glanced back at me expectantly. I gupled, "Aeon-" my voice broke off, the words dying in my throat. He smiled in understanding, "Arryn, it's going to be fine just draw the runes." I shook my head, "it's not going to be fine, so don't act like it is, I can barely heal your regular injuries and if he lands a hit you're dead!" I blurted, tears threatening to spill. Why was I the only one who was scared? The only one who dreaded the outcome? How could be so calm when he was marching to his death?
My bottom lip trembled, I steeled myself and steadied my hand pricking my finger and letting the blood coat the rune-needle. An image of a bloodied wasteland flashed through my mind, I shook my head, ridding myself of my nightmares, now was not the time to think of such. I drew the swirling runes, praying to the gods that Aeon would survive this, that we would both survive this. "Promise me you'll surrender," I pleased. "I promise." We both knew that was lie.
I sat close to the ring, watching as Master Hearthworth climbed up the ring. "Merry tidings my friends! Today we will be witnessing the final round of the championship game!" He announced. The crowd erupted into cheers. Master Hearthworth grinned, I could imagine him calculating the amount of coimys he would be able to rack up from this fight. The bloodier the fight, the more coins he recieved. And today's fight was sure to be nothing short of a blood fight given Aeon's opponent.
"Our two warriors, Aeon The Leopard and Gorgon The Hell-Beast!" He announced. The crowd cheered louder, screaming for bloodshed. Gorgon was a hulking beast of man, made of pure rippling muscles, with tiny beady eyes and a smashed in nose. He was responsible for half the casualties of The Games. He was notorious was for viciously tearing apart his opponents and his healer, Eloise was equally as skilled, so much so that any scratch Gorgon incurred was swiftly healed. Master Hearthworth had really struck gold with those two.
And then there was Aeon and I. I still had no idea how we reached this far, my healing skills were medicore at best. I closed my eyes, more images from my nightmare flashed through my mind, a girl. I shook my head and clenched my fists. I needed to focus on the problem at hand.
I spotted Eloise grinning smugly from where she sat,already sure of her win. "The rules are simple whoever falls first loses, and an extra rule, no surrendering!" The crowd went wild. Bloodshed was assured. Fear bubbled in my gut, we stood no chance, we were dead, surrendering was our only hope, but even that was impossible.
"May the best man win!" And with that the fight began.
Gorgon swung a punch, Aeon ducked and countered with a jab, I pressed by fingers against the runes on my chest pouring more energy into Aeon through the runes on his back. Gorgon stumbled back, without letting him recover, Aeon lashed out with two kicks to the ribs. Eloise worked her magic, quickly healing Gorgon's bruises. He charged for Aeon slamming into him. Both of them went crashing to the ground, fighting for the upper hand. I poured more energy and Aeon managed to kick Gorgon off him.
We can do this, we can do this, I chanted as Aeon dodged another punch. He spun and lashed out a kick, Gorgon caught his ankle and squeezed, crunshing the bones, I winced. I poured more energy through the runes, wrapping it around his ankle and mending the crushed bones.
Gorgon kept his hold on Aeon's ankle, trying to crush my magic, I tugged on the pools of energy within me reinforcing the magic. Gorgon watched with glee as Aeon struggled his grip, he suddenly dropped Aeon's ankle and slammed his elbow into his face. Aeon stumbled backwards, his nose broken. I quick sent more energy to his nose easing the pain and padding the broken bones.
Aeon had barely recovered from the last blow when Grogon slammed into him against sending him flying across the ring and into the runic fence. I pulled on more energy soothing his bruises. As Aeon tried to gather himself, Grogon pounced, grabbing him by his hair he forced his head back before slamming it into the fence. Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I poured what left of energy I had left into the runes, focusing on easing Aeon's pain instead of healing the damage. Grogon continued slamming his face into the fence, each slam was stronger than the last and I struggled to keep up and even worse my energy reserves were slowly coming to an end.
Tired of slamming Aeon's face into the now bloodied fence he decided to kick him around instead. The crowd cheered, hungry for more blood. Aeon had already passed out, on the brink of death as Gorgon continued raining blows on his fallen body. My energy reserves were finished and I was using the energy I had sent to him earlier trying my damnest to ease the pain. Black dots filled my vision, exhaustion was setting in. And yet Gorgon was still going. 'Please just stop! Please! He's already down!'
"Stop!"
The crowd went silent.
The speaker pushed their way through the crowd. It was a girl. No. The girl. The girl in my nightmares. She was slender and dainty with milky white skin and shiny honey brown hair, done in a some sort of braided bun held with beautiful gold pins, her eyes are a stricking obsidian black framed by equally sooty lashes, her heart shaped lips were pulled in a frown. The girl from the Linghun clan.
Master Hearthworth bristled, "Who in the seven hells do you think you are?!" He roared. The girl glared at him, obsidian eyes cold, "you are the master of this ring, correct?" She said, Master Hearthworth glared, "what's it to you?" "You let them fight like animals? Killing each other like their life is meaningless?" Master Hearthworth was fumming by now, "Look here girl, you're a foreigner so why don't you shut up and leave if you're so bothered!"
The girl ignored him and ran down the stone steps, she leaped over the fence landing on her feet, "I'll take his place, his down already, take it as compensation for disturbing your business" she said, The crowd erupted into cheers, Gorgon turned to master Hearthworth "you can't be seriously considering this? She's a woman! I can't fight her! It's an insult!" He yelled, Master Hearthworth seemed to be swayed by the cheering crowd.
"Sorry boy, the crowd wants it, so make sure you give them a good fight," Master Hearthworth replied. Two girls climbed into the ring and carried Aeon's body away, I sent a quick prayer to the gods hoping Leigh would be able to heal him. Gorgon huffed and glared at The girl, she stared back unfazed. Gorgon took a deep breath and spat, it landed on the girl's face on her slender nose. The crowd went silent. The girl calmly wiped it away with the large sleeve of her blush pink samfu shirt. "Don't expect me to go easy on you cunt," he growled. The girl raised a brow, "I'll expect nothing less."
Gorgon charged the girl and she step-sided, this went on for quite a while, Gorgon attacked and The girl dodged. I noticed a small smile playing on her lips, she was toying with him. Gorgon furious and enraged charged swinging a punch. The girl caught his fist and in one fluid movement, she slammed her palm into his diaphram. He crumbled.
The crowd was silent as Eloise desperately tried to revive him, "don't bother," the girl said, "I hit an energy point he wouldn't be getting up for a while. The crowd erupted into cheers. I stared this girl had taken out the strongest competitor in the ring in mere seconds and what exactly did she mean by energy points?
She turned to face me and cocked her head, I looked away embarrassed, I had been staring. She made her way out the ring heading towards me, "are you alright?" She asked her voice tinged with concern, I nodded weakly even though I was exhausted, "thank you for helping us," I muttered. And then the world went black.
