Fear's Union

Chapter Four

—Xen—

Xen peered about the place. Everyone was mesmerised by the events in the sky; absolutely everyone. The miracle of Kato had won the attentions of all, and a strange truce had broken out. Yes, it was an unfurling story of true majesty, but she was not won over. She simply ignored it. She had eyes for only one.

Keles was standing there, entranced like everyone else and staring into the sky; exposed. He should get down. He really should get down. He was too valuable to lose, at least to her he was. She could not imagine a life without him, a life without that sense of belonging. She was his and he was hers. It was all that really kept her in the greys. This wasn't the life for her.

She smoothed her uniform and looked to him again. Her love. And it was love, she was sure of it. Just being apart was like being broken in half. That was love, wasn't it? All she needed was to see him, and that was enough. Just to know he was there; coming to her. Because he always came to her eventually. He loved her as much as she loved him. He wouldn't say it, but that meant nothing. She could see it in him. They were destined.

There was a strange double noise; two separate sources, but a common goal. It was surprising in the silent reverie of the town, but it was also familiar. She honed in on it, and her stomach dropped. That same anger blossomed, but this time it would not be forced into a box. An opportunistic crossbowman had cocked his weapon, and was taking aim. The bolt was aimed at Keles.

There was no rationality; not anymore. She leapt into the open, not a care for her security. She leapt towards the shell of enemies, and whipped her uncleaned weapon out. It was still hungry. She screamed, and forgot all about her Mandahoi training. That was not the life for her and here it was irrelevant. Could she save him? She must, but the bolt fizzed, and it was too late. Already too late. Keles dropped to the floor, but it didn't stop her. She sprinted across the open space and cried out. She had heard that vengeance was a sweet tonic. Now she only hoped it was true.

She hurtled into their midst, her weapon piercing in a skilled dance. Even despite her state, the training flowed naturally. The enemy was well protected, huddled behind a wall of interlocking shields, but the impact of her attack prised open a small gap. It was enough, and she forced herself deeper into that wound, stabbing and slashing at will. She found necks and joints with ease, such was the poor state of these mercenaries and their cheap equipment. They lay dead and dying in her path, and for the briefest moment, it felt good. A fine tonic indeed.

She swiped right, her short weapon biting steel, but the enemy rallied. The jarring impact knocked the heat out of her, and the loss of Keles wrapped itself around her. It was chilling. This was not the life for her. Keles was all that had kept her straight, and now he was gone. But worse than that: any life without Keles was not her own.

Light faded and the enemy re-formed the protective shell. She was surrounded, but she didn't really care. Keles lay out there, dead, so perhaps this was the best place to be. It was all very sudden, but that was because of the weight in her gut. It hauled down on her, lowering her mood. It was terribly heavy. She didn't think she could sustain it any longer. She lowered her weapon.

The enemy laughed. All of them. It was a deep multi-faceted cackle that rumbled through the private shell. Their leader snarled, showing off his sharp white teeth. Did he file them like that? She shuddered. She didn't want to know.

"You appear to have stumbled into our hive. I hope you can take a sting or two."

She laughed. It was not even that funny, just weird. In fact, it was the frustration that she laughed at. She should be mourning for her Keles, poring over him, but no. She was here. With these weird freaks. Comedy turned to anger, and determination came with it. Resignation was not the way. She would fight on. How would Anejo deal with this? What would she do? It was obvious really.