Selfish Desire

Count Your Blessings

A crazed insane laugh rang out sharply. There was fire and smoke everywhere. It was supposed to be a safe trip. They were just out visiting a neighboring village. Her body was in pain, specifically her leg. The blood that dripped from a wound on her face obscured part of her vision.

Aphmau. She needed to find Aphmau. She heard the scream. Her scream.

Running as fast as her body could permit, she followed that heartwrenching sound, ignoring the pain that spiked up her leg.

She found the figure that attacked them hovering over Aphmau. It was shrouded in darkness and released another spine chilling laugh. Aphmau herself was covered in ash, bruises, and small cuts. The figure laughed as it brought it's hand up, five deadly sharp claws gleaming in the firelight.

"NO!"

Time seemed to slow down. The claws ripped down, five lines that seeped with scarlet liquid. Katelyn ran over, catching the body as it fell.

It landed heavily, like dead weight. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the blood.

"A-Aphmau? Hang on, please hang on. I-I"

She was cut off as Aphmau lifted her head and pressed her lips to Katelyn's.

Aphmau gave one last smile before dying.

Katelyn awoke with a start, bolting straight up from her bed. She was breathing heavily, sweating as well. She glanced out the window, noticing the sun wasn't up. She rubbed her eyes. This was the fifth night Katelyn's had that dream.

There was no possibility of her getting back to sleep. Sighing, she got out of bed, throwing off her bed sheets. She pulled on her clothes and strapped on her armor. Since, she's up so early might as well go out and patrol or train.

Katelyn walked outside, the cool night air chilling her skin, yet she didn't care. Attempting to ward the images of the recurring nightmare, she trekked around the village.

She didn't know what bothered her about the dream more. The unknown attacker, Aphmau is danger, herself dying, or not able to tell her feelings. Yes, she liked Aphmau. A lot. Her long dark flowing hair, her beautiful eyes. Katelyn knew Aphmau was beautiful, every since she laid her eyes on her. Maybe it was, in part, what made her happier to renounce her title as a Jury of Nine. Besides working with Zane and Jeffory.

After getting to know Aphmau more, she knew that there was more to her beauty. Such a kind and outgoing individual, so willing to protect. It made Katelyn want to protect her even more.

Sighing again, she noticed the sun was peaking over the horizon. She didn't know when she walked out, but she should go back to Phoenix Drop.
When she got back, the sun was slowing making its ascent to the middle of the sky.

The first sight she was greeted with upon returning go Phoenix Drop was Aphmau. Her heart jumped when they locked eyes, but kept her facade calm and collected.

"Katelyn! There you are, I've been looking for you, where have you been?" she asked.

"I was out on a patrol, but walked a bit too far," she replied, hoping Aphmau wouldn't question why.

"Oh, um, are you okay? I-I mean, like, you usually are so alert, so.." damn, a girl could only hope.

"I was thinking...about Jeffory." You're lying, of course.

"O-oh..." Look, now you made her sad. Goddamnit Katelyn, get your shit together.

"There's nothing wrong, I'm fine. Is there a reason you were seeking me out this morning?" Changing the subject, great idea Katelyn.

"Oh yeah. Um, so I need to go and check out a neighboring village and all, and I don't one of the boys to come with me, because they need to be here to protect Phoenix Drop and stuff, and I was wondering if..." She seemed lost for words, or too shy to say them. No need, you picked up what she wanted to ask.

"And you want me to go with you?" you inquire.

"..yes," you're stomach does a flip and you feel all giddy inside.

"Sure, when are we leaving?"

"I was hoping today."

"Alright. When do we leave today?" You begin to realize the scenario seems similar to your nightmare, the whole visiting a neighboring village and whatnot.

"Right now? I already had all the supplies packed, though thankfully the village isn't too far." Talk about sudden.
Thank Irene you were already had prepared.

"Lead the way Lady Aphmau." The dread slowly begins to seep in once you realize this could play out like your dream. You ponder saying something, but it's probably to late to do so. Readjusting your fire fist a bit, you walk slightly behind Aphmau, a bit to her side.

"How far is this village exactly?" You wanted to know how they were going to be on the road.

"About a day on foot." Okay, not too long. Hopefully business only takes up double the time, at most.

Skipping over the boring details of the journey to and there, the only noteworthy thing was a warning from a villager.

"Careful 'round here, news of a monster be floatin' 'round," they warned.

Katelyn panicked. It couldn't be the one from her dreams, can it?

"Do you know what it looks like? What it does?" Aphmau asked.

"Heard it's a thing 'bout this high," they put out their hand, gesturing very above their head. "Shrouded in darkness, they say. With a creepy ass laugh to boot."

Okay. okay. okay. It was definetly sounding like her monster from her dreams. But it couldn't be. Dreams were just dream, right?

"Folks say it sneaks up people, lights their belongings on fire, and kills at least one person, leavin' the rest injured, if it's a group," Aphmau noticeably shrank at their words.

"Nasty creature, if ya ask me. Luckily, seemed as it moved on. Haven't had an attack in weeks. Better to be safe then sorry though, eh? Just wanted to warn ya."

Aphmau looked scared and alarmed. Maybe she thought should have brought along the guys, or at least one of them. Katelyn felt a pang of sadness. Didn't Aphmau trust her to protect her?

"Thanks for the warning," she thanked the villager, who in turned nodded and hobbled off to Irene knows where.

"Don't worry Aphmau, I'll protect you," you weren't lying, you were going to. But you still felt some anger and sadness that she doubted you're abilty.

"I-I know you will Katelyn," you could still sense the anxiety coming off of her in waves.

[A/N] That's the end of part one. Thanks for reading. This is all prewritten so, the next part will come out sometime tomorrow, or even later on today. Also, pardon any bad grammer, spelling, or formatting. I had typed this up on mobile so things might be a bit off. This is also my first fanfic. Feedback is welcomed and encouraged.