Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 14

Marcus woke with an unfounded sense of dread, violently rising up to a sitting position with his hand reaching for the grip of the sword. As his hand touched the metal hilt, a rush of memories overtook him, stunning him.

"Fay! Wait! We need to talk!" A female called out, the scenery unknown as Marcus gazed through Kou's eyes.

"I have training that I need to get to. We can talk later." His tone was harsh, almost resentful.

"I can order you to stop and talk to me, Fay." Her voice mirrored his, making him slow his pace to a stop.

Silence at first as Kou turned to face the female Rozan, and then a soft apology leaving his mind.

"I want you to understand, Fay. I have to do this. My mother is-" She began, but he shook his head.

"I know... She is unable to compete in the contest anymore. If you refuse, then another family will take the throne." Kou responded, dropping his gaze from hers.

"If you understand, then why? Why will you not talk to me, unless I force you to?" The pain was evident in her mental voice, but Kou still didn't meet her gaze.

"Young Marcus... I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't wander through my memories." Kou suddenly said, breaking the veil of the memory.

As Marcus's world realigned with the room forming back around him, he scooted back against the wall.

"I didn't mean to, Kou."

"I know, Young Marcus. It seems that our training and our energy are breaking down the barriers between us. Unfortunately, this is a first. Your existence, I mean. So, I have nothing to base our experience off."

Marcus rose to his feet, grabbing the sheath of the Rozan weapon. After yesterday's close call with the canine, he knew he needed to keep the weapon close to him at all times.

"Last night, with the Davoon..." Marcus whispered, unsheathing the black blade.

"Yes?"

"I was too scared. I did what you said and realized that it was only a memory, but the pain from facing his killer... It was too much, Kou." Marcus continued, letting his eyes traverse the alien weapon.

"It is alright, Young Marcus. With time, you'll be able to put those feelings behind you. You must learn to use that pain as fuel to push yourself to become better than you once were." Kou replied, attempting to console him.

"I wish it was that easy, Kou," Marcus retorted, sheathing the blade. "I wish I could just put it behind me, but it feels like only a couple days have passed since this all began."

"Perhaps the journey will clear your mind and help put everything in perspective," Kou proposed. "It'll take several days to walk that distance."

Marcus stepped out of the back room, sliding his arm through the makeshift strap. The first task was to find a bag similar to the one that the canine's victim had brought to the store. As expected from a grocery store, Marcus spent close to an hour roaming through the aisles searching for a bag.

"In all seriousness, Kou," Marcus speculated out loud. "It'll probably be easier to find one somewhere else in town... Or even on the road towards Portsmouth."

"If that is what you wish to do, Young Marcus."

Taking one last trip through the store, Marcus stopped at the entrance, glancing back at the registers that he had seen when he first came in. The skeletal leg of the unknown individual behind the register made a cold chill creep across Marcus's neck.

"How many?" Marcus whispered, turning away from the sight.

Silence at first, but softly Kou's voice came in, "There's no real way to find out. From the entry in the notebook implying the state of the world... It doesn't look the best for humanity."