The Forgotten One

Death Row Guild

The corridors where dark, only the light of the blood moon kept Lycas from stumbling around. The few windows that were there were shattered or covered with a thick layer of dust.

She was at the end...

Akira.

The smile on her face meant everything to Lycas. He knew what she did was to cover up for their plan, so no one expected it. Akira wanted him safe, even if it meant her punishment.

"You shouldn't be down here," Lycas warned. "You know what will happen if you're down here...with me."

She shrugged. "I don't care. Let the old hag try, and I'll give her hell!"

"But-"

"Butts are for sitting." Akira lectured.

Lycas puffed out his cheeks, knowing he wasn't going to win this fight.

Akira's smile faded and gazed into Lycas' eyes. "There's something I have to tell you, Lycas."

He tilted his head in confusion, not knowing where this conversation was going.

"I-"

I sat up, gasping for air and yet again, drenched in sweat. Noticing it was still night, I shook my head in frustration. Why is everything so damn complicated? Why did she come back? Why Akira?

I slipped on my pants and stepped out of my apartment, heading outside. The air was crisp and nipped at my bare skin. The cold air didn't bother me, but the dream did. It was always the dreams. Hopefully a walk will clear my head, or at least take my mind off of the...you know, forget what I was saying.

Confused with my state of mind, I didn't pay attention when I got to the park. I sat on the bench trying to clear my head, only to fail miserably.

Thump-thump...

What was that? I questioned as I looked around, trying to find the source of whatever made that noise.
I'm
Thump-thump...Thump-thump...

I absentmindedly got up and started heading for the forest, using my senses the try and find the pulsing sound. It's gotta be in there, I just know it.

The further I went into the forest, the louder and faster it got. Whatever was making that noise became very clear to hear. It sounded like a heartbeat, but who's, or what's? Was I going crazy for all of this nonsense, these unanswered questions in my head? Had I finally reached my breaking point?

Thump-thump...Thump-thump...Thump-thump...Thump-thump....

Now the sound vibrated and pulsed in my head. My head shook with pressure that was unlike any other. I was getting close to the source of the heartbeat.

Suddenly, the pulsing heartbeat stopped. I looked around where I was; a little grotto, shielding off any light except from the gaps in the trees. Something looked odd about this place, but that wasn't it. Near the center of the grotto was a large tree, unearthed mounds piled at the roots. Something was buried and not to state the obvious, but I'm guessing that's where the heartbeat was coming from.

I knelt in front of the tree, tearing at the moss that had grown over the dirt. Someone had tried to hide something and make it look like nothing was here. They didn't do a good job, though.

After what seemed forever, my hand struck a... case? I pulled it out of the dirt and rubbed of the access dirt. It was a katana, perfectly closed in its sheath. The engravings were confusing, written in ancient Japanese language. The sheath itself was solid black and wrapped in nylon strips, matching the hilt. The base of the hilt was red, wrapped professionally in black silk string. I unsheathed the katana and examined the blade, full of awe and curiosity.