Arcanum

Chapter 32: Aiyana

I watched the retreating human soldiers, and slipped my machetes into my belt, knowing we were safe now.

"Aiyana, I wanted to let you know that Lucas is leaving." Kyrin walked up to me, and I shrieked,

"Which way did he go?!" The brown haired guy pointed west, and I kicked my horse into a gallop through the forest. I kept galloping until a saw a familiar black haired guy on a bay horse.

"Lucas stop!" I shouted, and he looked back at me,

"I'm not a Catori, Aiyana. I don't belong here." He said, and kicked his horse to go faster. I growled in frustration, and urged my horse to speed up. Lucas was riding one of the village's horses, and fortunately, I used to visit all the horses when I was younger. I still occasionally do. I knew that this bay horse was slower than my own, and so I was at an advantage. My chestnut gelding easily caught up to Lucas's horse, and I grabbed for the reins, and pulled back, stopping Lucas's horse.

"You're not going anywhere." I growled at Lucas, keeping a steady grasp on the reins. Lucas sighed and looked at me,

"The Catori people hate me, admit it. I'll never belong, and it would just be awkward for me. Especially if you're the only one who likes me."

"That is true, but they trust me since I am the Princess. If I give them reasons why you belong, they might believe you." I explained, and Lucas chuckled,

"You really want me to stay, don't you?" I felt my face heat up,

"No! It's just...you saved me, and I believe you're a good person." I argued, and Lucas continued to chuckle,

"Alright, if you can convince them, I will stay." He smiled.

"Then let's head back." I grabbed his hand, and gave him a warm smile.

"Okay." He nodded, and we galloped back to the village.

---

"I know many of you believe Lucas is a horrible human, and I realize that he has killed many of our kind." Many people booed from the crowd, and I let out a sigh,

"But Lucas has changed. When he was sent to assassinate me, Lucas couldn't do it. And, he's helped me many times. During the battle we just had, Lucas helped us fight. He is on our side now. I know it's hard to believe, but we can trust him now." I explained to the villages, and watched my people start to nod, "who agrees?" Kyrin, Kenji, Akira, and Charlene rose their hands high into the air. After they did, I watched more and more people raised their hands, until it was almost all of the village. "Thank you everyone." I smiled. The crowd of villagers separated and headed for their houses and shops, and I walked toward Lucas.

"You're one of us now." I said, and placed a hand on his shoulder,

"I guess I am. I still don't really feel like I belong though." He shrugged,

"Listen, you and I are no different. We may be different species, but it doesn't really matter does it?" Lucas smiled,

"Thanks Aiyana."

"Not Princess?" I giggled, and Lucas laughed,

"Thanks, Princess.".

"However, to become a Catori, we are going to need to do a ritual. My species has been doing this for centuries every time a new Catori is born. Since you are going to be a citizen, the ritual still will count." I explained,

"What do we need to do?" Lucas asked,

"Let me get dressed, and we will head to the temple." I explained, and the black haired guy nodded, and waited in the village while I headed to my house to get dressed.