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Re: Burning Epiphanies

Subject: Re: Burning Epiphanies
by KTC on 2008/2/5 3:04:32

Rhen sat atop her horse, breathing in the fresh air. She missed the outdoors so much. The human smiled faintly remembering her parents. They hardly recognize their little girl now. Trotting at at steady pace, Rhen steered the horse toward a cliff that overlooked the valley. Reaching her destination, she got off and tied the horse to a tree. With her hand instinctively on her sword, she walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. For all her disillusionment, looking out into the horizon lifted a weight from her soul. This was what she, a simple village girl, fought for. She sat down on the edge, legs dangling over.

She fought for this. Sighing, she laid back on the grass, looking up into the sky. What would she fight for? Her hand idly pulled a blade of grass while she blankly watched the clouds roll by.

What was there to fight for?

Her hands clenched into fists.

What was worth fighting for?
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How do you feel pain, if you're dead?

Teijal wondered briefly as another ripple of agonizing pain shot through her body. Her mouth opened in a silent scream as she writhed on the surface. Suddenly she felt hands hold her down, pushing her down onto her back. Growling she fought against them feebly. There were too many of them! She could hear whispers and voices around her.

Abruptly she felt something slam into her chest, paralyzing her.

Darkness followed.
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Teijal awoke, her eyes seeing perfectly well in the pitch dark room. She was tired and ached. Where was she?

A voice broke through the darkness. "You almost killed yourself. Took half our blood to treat you. Why?"

Teijal stiffened at the cold voice. "How long was I out?" she quietly asked.

"A night's worth. Answer the question."

"I have my reasons."

"Do they include a particular human with violet eyes?"

Teijal whipped her head around, eyes wide open in shock. Naikja smirked. "Ahh.. the human savior."

Teijal narrowed her eyes.

"Come come now Teijal. You have always shown... affection for to that particular human. Even if your friends do not see it, I know you." The wryly old vampire leaned back in the seat, patiently waiting. "Only a foolish fledgling would have done that before she could. So why did you do it?"

Teijal nearly growled in frustration, there was no way she could fool the old hag. "The Beast dared to threaten a person I... care for. I refuse to allow it to control me any longer."

The Elder's eyes drilled into the vampire. "You are telling me half truths. Why is this human so important to you?"

Teijal glared at Naikja, refusing to say anything. The Elder stared at Teijal, ignoring the glare.
We care for our own even if they are not our blood. Why are you throwing it all away for a mere human?

The young vampire slumped in the bed, unable to keep eye contact. Silence filled the air. Teijal refused to look at the Elder. The young vampire's hands clenched tightly into fists. How could she explain it? Teijal felt a cool hand grasp hers and her eyes quickly rose to meet the Elder's. For a brief second, her emotional walls came tumbling down revealing the fire underneath.

She burned. Accepting the searing pain in her heart, Teijal welcomed the cool touch of the Elder. Crumbling, Teijal sank into Naikja's arms. She didn't try to stop the pain or the tears this time.

She was safe. Teijal didn't need to be strong.

She didn't need to hide.

"I love her.. Naikja..."

Feeling the old vampire's arms tighten around her, Teijal repeated, in a low whisper, "I love her.."

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The human stayed there the whole night and into the morning. Even the chilly wind cutting through her clothing didn't discourage her. She watched the sun set and the sun rise. Stiff from the cold, Rhen slowly got up stretching sluggish muscles. It was time to go home. Casting one more glance at the valley, the warrior retrieved her horse, and rode away. She was a fighter, a veteran who had no need for an easy life. She would fight to her last dying breath.

And that suited her just fine.

Quietly, Rhen led her horse back to the stables. After dropping it off, she slowly walked back home, lost in thought. Walking on the familiar path, she noticed someone standing near her door.

Silently groaning, she walked closer and stopped abruptly.

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Teijal hovered outside the door. "Don't live with regrets. They will kill you." Her hands raised, poised to knock.

"Teijal?"

The vampire froze momentarily, before her hand dropped limply. "Rhen.."

The human approached the vampire cautiously. "What are you doing here?"

"I.." The vampire shrugged. "..I wanted to see you."

The two warriors stood awkwardly, unable to maintain eye contact. Rhen took a breath and walked pass the vampire. Using her key, she opened the door and held it open. Teijal nodded nervously before walking through. After Rhen closed the door, the women sat down on the chairs, still unable to look at each other.

The vampire fisted her hands. "Rhen..I..."

She abruptly stood up and walked to the windows, staring out into darkness.

"..Do you remember the ambush?"

Waves of monsters after them. A heavy blade, a heavier arm. Dead bodies everywhere. Still they kept coming, a mindless mass of shadows craving for human flesh and blood. A brief rest. Can't sleep. Too tense. Too afraid. The air smelt of death. Death was waiting for her.

The human flinched as the memory hit her. "Yes."

Still turned away, Teijal continued as if Rhen hadn't replied, "The demons came at us. We had to keep fighting. Eventually, there was a respite. I held you in my arms.. and at that moment I didn't want to let go."

Plunging forward, the vampire spoke, searching for elusive words. "But then we were rescued and everything returned normal. I pushed down that feeling to hold you, to protect you. I saw you get closer to that sorcerer brat."

She nearly growled before calming down, "I buried my feelings for they were painful at times, a stake through the heart while the cursed sun beats upon your corpse kind of pain. I had all but forgotten them.."

The vampire turned to look at the human, crimson eyes meeting violet. "..then we danced for the first time. I was able to hold you again, and those feelings arose again. These past nights... they were as close to heaven as I could possibly reach."

Teijal fisted her hands, eyes narrowing."...I saw you with Lars.... I just lost it. But even through the madness, ..I could rip anything else into shreds but I could never harm you. Rhen, you're my sanity. These feelings.. they will not disappear and I don't want to hide them."

Teijal paused, nails digging into her hands. "I'm in love with you Rhen."
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