Attack of Spectra

Chapter 1: Left, Forgotten

    "Lex can you help me with this window? It keeps cracking in the corner." Uncle Lex is one of the handymen in our town. Half of our town is made up of wood cutters. I am one of them, but I spend most of my time over at the barn and the fields.
    "Sure thing. Luma can you go get some of the wood you brought over yesterday."
    "Uncle you used that wood for the fire, I'll have to go out and cut some." It's around four twenty, around five that's when it gets dark and weird things happen at dusk.
    "Could you please go get some. Just cut near the border of the town."  I've cut mostly there, so I'll have to go deeper to get the same color as our house. My jacket is somewhere. My boots are right by the door, that's a good thing I need those.
    "I'm off Uncle. See you soon Milow." I wave and open the door. Milow might need wood for his home to I'll grab him some as well. Now where is that bag?
    "I need my bag, axe, gloves, and blades just incase I don't finish before five."
    "Where are you going m'lady?" The formal voice sounds like one of the guards, I turn around and look at the guard suited in full armour and a sword tucked in it's place.
    "I'm going out the cut some wood for the house and one of the other villagers fire supply." The truth is held there, I am going out for wood.
    "Why isn't one of the men going instead? Why send a maiden?" Maiden? Is he saying just because I'm a female that means I can't do hard work. I've done this for years.
    "They're are holding the window in place so it doesn't break any farther. So I must get on my way so I can get back quicker." I quickly walk out of the village gates and begin running.
    There they are the tree's finally! After about an hour I get more than I hoped for, time to get back before it gets too dark. It's about 5:30 and the noises are starting to waken. The gate is a mile away. I have to hurray. Once I get to the house I see the front do open, I rush over and look inside. There are five guard talking to papa and Milow. Their still holding the window up.
    "I got it uncle!" I hold up the bag. I breathe heavily, I was out of breath from running thro the snow. The guards turn the heads and stare over at me "Maiden you're white as the snow. And your nose is red." It hits me once he points it out, the room was warmer than outside, it felt like a blanket was wrapped around me.
    "Oh right. I forgot to bring my coat with me but it's fine. I'm still standing and breathing." The world catches up to me and I become very dizzy. "Okay maybe just breathing." I fall back.
    "LUMA!" I hear Uncle's voice call, I didn't pass out I just felt the gravity pull so I fell with it.
    "M'lady how long were you out there for, where were you cutting at. What were you doing?" All the question's circle my mind.
    "I was out there for about an hour, just cutting wood down for the house, oh that reminds me. Millow? I got you and your kin some fire wood as well." One of the guards pulls off his glove and put their hand on my forehead.
    "Where is you're chamber?"
    "She sleep here on the couch." The guard stiffens when he hears those words slip out of papa's lips.
    "Why do you have this maiden sleeping on a sofa? Don't you love your only kin?"
Papa clears his throat.
    "I give her the option to sleep in the bedroom. She chooses to sleep out here. She decided that since she is in better youth than me she would let me sleep in a more comfortable chamber."
    The guard picks me up and places me on the couch.
    "How come we've never noticed her. Never seen her in this town?"
    "She loves the woods, Luma's soul is within nature and her heart is full of dreams." Warm hands cover my own hands. "She needs to leave here and find somewhere new. Some place that she could spread her love. This place holds her down with all these chores I have to give her." No Papa I don't want to leave I want to stay here. I love my jobs, it gives me a reason to go out. If I had free time I wouldn't have anything to do.
    "Papa No! I don't want to leave. I love the chores and jobs I have! If I did not have those what would I do." Papa's eyes glow.
    "That's what he's saying Luma all you do is work. That's not what women are supposed to do." I drift into full sleep.

    I wake up to two guards standing by the door and bags in front of me.
    "M'lady you're awake. How did you sleep?" Oh it's him from before.
    "Great thank you for asking. Is Papa going on another trip?" He was so dumbfounded by what I said.
    "No," Then what are these bags for? Who are these bags for? "You're coming on a. Umm journey with us." I shake my head.
    "I can't but thank you. I have to help Papa with keeping the house in it's proper state," The guards seem so displeased with me.
    "I find it grand that you want to help your Uncle with the house and the other chores, but it's not your choose M'lady"
    "Sir please, Papa is getting tired and tired by the day I have to stay here and help him," The one guard on the right laughs.
    "You're kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." I look at his eyes and notice that one of his eyes is faded. I smile.
    "Thank you, but sir what happened to your eye?" The man on the left looks away from us both, he steps away into the other room.
"Well young Maiden. I had a friend I consider him apart of my own kin. But during one of our biggest wars he turned his back on me and attack back on his own home. I know that he was a friend and a close one at that, but my home and the families that live here worth more than one. I'm not saying that one person compared to forty others is something you shouldn't care about, i'm saying that he was corrupted and there was no help for him. So I had to stop him. He was my brother and it was the hardest thing for me." He had to kill someone very close to him, I cannot say I know his exact pain but I can at least understand that he is hurting deep down inside.
"Thank you for telling me, and I'm sorry for that. I cannot agree that I know the pain you are going thro everyday but I can tell you I understand that you will always look forward, and see the good things ahead." I could tell he was smiling by looking at his eyes, his mouth did not curve but his actions didn't matter, his emotions meant the world. "So where is Papa?" The guy from before returns, leaning on the door frame of the hallway.
"He left to go help with the crops he wanted us to leave once you woke up. So let's get moving." He chuckles a bit, this guys arua is so strong he cares a lot about his passion, I won't push him.
"Okay but let me grab my stuff." I grab my two bags that were placed by the couch and walk outside, three more guards are waiting, a few neighbors staring. "Why did you have to bring so many guards? It looks like i'm being arrested." Half of the town doesn't know me, so they are probably thinking i'm a spy from some higher town.
"Because something happened last night. It affected you so if it comes out then we are ready."
"What do you mean if it comes out." He walks faster, A man in the cart puts his hand out to me, I grab his hand and he pulls me up. I sit down next to the guard I was having a conversation with.
"I mean if the monster inside of you decides to come out and show itself." I'm a monster, I mean there's a monster inside of me? How? When, I never was attacked. I stare down at the boards of the cart, Burch.
"M'lady are you okay?" One of the guards holding onto the reins connected to the horses.
"Yes, sir. But am I..." I cut myself off. Not like their going to know what's inside of me. I will have to find out myself. I look out toward the horizon watching as tree's and mountain's get in the way of the view.
So, you found out i'm in you? I gasp out loud and all the guards in the cart look over at me. Oh Luma, they can't hear me.
What are you. Why enter me and not any of the other stronger villager?
You're strong in your own ways. Dear Luma I'm no threat I'm almost like you're guardian angel. His voice sounded to friendly but why me I've only crop and trees and feed animals I've never been a big part of life.
Luma their talking to you. You must answer or they'll notice you're not okay. I know how you are, you don't like people seeing what troubles you. Sadly he's right my pains and problems embarrass me.
"M'lady? Are you okay?" Yes just fine. My soul has been taken over by an angel that knows everything about me.
"I'm okay just realized I forgot to put the axe in the shed last night." Once again not a lie. I placed it right by the front door. I got destructed by the door wide open and the guards surrounding Milow and Papa.
After about an hour the guards conversation goes to their wives and loved ones. One is complaining about how they think their wife is leaving him.
"She's beautiful, her eyes, her hair. She's just beautiful." I look up and open my mouth.
"You don't love a girl because of beauty. You love her because she sings a song only you can understand." They all look over suprised that I talked. "Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused" The guard opened his mouth but nothing comes out he just looks down, "What else? She is so beautiful. You don't get tired of looking at her. You never worry if she is smarter than you: You know she is. She is funny without ever being mean. I love the thought of her. I am so lucky to know you love her. You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes you." I look back up seeing the sun setting to the perfect gold.
"Only a few more miles. Miss Arloe it was nice riding with you." Aren't they coming with me, they said I was going with them on a trip. I feel one of the men arm wrap around my waist and pull me closer to their body.
"Don't look so sad please. I can see my men have learned from your brave words." I look around at the guards, all of them had helmets on. "I know you can't see their face including my own, but they've begun to change their thoughts because of you. A woman who wants to work everyday, A young maiden who speaks like she has been alive for years and has gained the knowledge of thousands scholars." He whispered as if he didn't want others to hear. Why does he care, he's leaving me anyways these guards don't really care about me they are only doing their job. Like always.
    "You can drop me off here I know how far the village is from here." My words came out soft. His hand tighten around my waist. "Please, you don't need to travel any farther than this you have been missing your work." The driver leads the horse to the side and hops off. I sat up and so does the guard that had his arm around me. "Thank you,"
    "M'lady are you sure it's getting late and I don't know if those things come out over here as well." If they do come out good. I'm already lost from home and soon I'll be forgotten.
    "Yes i'm sure."
    "I'm going to walk you there," Another guard stands up.
    "So am I, the cart will wait here, but if Ellis doesn't return by five he can't take on whatever is out there." All the other guards nod their heads. But I'm slowly shaking mine.
"Now come on" Ellis starts walking forwards down the trail. Hours pass as we walk, after at least forty five minutes pass by the hour we have been walking, I see a large tower in the distance. My eyes widen.
    "How far have we traveled, there aren't castles anywhere near the wood cutter villages?" I whisper to myself.
    "We've travel a seven day trip on feet in two days by crat." Ehh. Okay but why come here when I could go anywhere else. We reach the gates and there are a few knights standing guard, they start walking towards us.
    "Hey you." They grab both Ellis and the other guard by the top of their chest armour. "What town are you from?" he's not letting go of them.
    "We are from one of the wood cutter villages." Ellis speaks as if his life was not in danger.
    "Then why are you here!" His grip gets tighter. "Why are you wondering so far?" Ellis looks down at me. I'm five five and Ellis and the other boy are around six one.
    "This girl is no use to our village we brought her here so she could have a better life."
    "What makes you think we want a useless maiden in our valley!" I step forward.
    "I'm not useless! You said in the cart you're letting me go because I push myself too hard, that i ask for work!" I practically scream at Ellis. Ellis looks back at the knight.
    "And that is where you are useless. You work too much you don't have people to talk to, you just work. You have absolutely no freedom." he lets go a little chuckle.
    "We'll take the girl," A knight walks thro the gate, grabbing my wrist.
    "Excuse me! I can walk on my own," I pull away from his grip, I don't aspartate that at all.
    "Luma, Nice knowing you." He walks over and looks down at me. "Wish I could see more than just your thoughts." He pushes up his helmet and reveals his copper orange eyes, he had freckles that covered his nose. But what took me in was the lust in his eyes. He leans over to my level taking my chin in his right hand and the other around my back. My eyes widen this is going to happen. He presses his lips against mine, we kiss for at least a whole minute.
    "Letting go doesn't mean that you don't care about someone anymore. It's just realizing that the only person you really have control over is yourself." He whispers in my ear. "You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not."
    "Why are you being the wise one here. And you. You kissed me, what is this all about. I don't know you." He lets his helmet fall back over his forbidden face. I can't help but feel a bit disappointed, but why I don't even know him. All I will ever know is that his name is Ellis, a guard, and the man who will run away with my heart and my soul. Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! it is unutterable! I can not live without my life! I can not live without my soul! "Why do you have to go?"
    "Everything that is gold will not glitter." His voice shakes, was he also upset. Please push forward although I won't see you in a long time your name will be stuck with me. He waves and him and the other start walking away. I can't help but have at least one tear drop.
    "Come on pancake, you're to be seen and scheduled." The guard that grabbed my arm earlier speaks.
    "Pardon me, but my name is not Pancake." He lets out a small laugh.
    "With those you are." He points at my binded chest.
    "Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value." He flinches back surprised that I didn't snap back.
    "Why aren't you mad! Aren't you infuriated that I insulted you, and you're flat chest."
    "Nobody can hurt me without my permission." I smirk myself. "Now where's this seeing at?"Their reactions to my actions were great. I don't want them to notice how hurt I am.
    "What about that guard friend of your's aren't you going to be upset that you will be the damsel in distress!" He doesn't like how my shield is built to block the biggest storms and the strongest enemies.
    "Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody." I start walking and go thro the gate. "Now which way?" After what felt like forever I got a job and I'll stay the night at this nice kind ladies house. "Hello, Excuse me. Miss Michali are you home?" Her house is beautiful, full of lovely object that suits the small home.Everywhere you turn you see nothing but color's. I can tell she love to stick to nature, she has plants and flowers everywhere! It honestly fills my heart with joy knowing people like the ones at my village are everywhere to be found.
    "Ohh you must be that new citizen coming to stay at my place for a while." I truly hope I don't stay for long tho, she's getting to her golden years and I want her to live at her fullest, like Papa.
    "Yes I am, I'm Luma. I hope I don't stay long tho because you're house is only meant to suit one owner so the more people the more cramped it is." I slightly bow my head to her, showing I have all respect for her. I hear her fate laugh.
    "A young beautiful lady like you can't trouble a old lady like me." She walks past me with a smile still placed perfectly on her lips. I take the chance to ask her.
    "Your husband is missing, right?" I look completely down. That was so rude of me to ask!
    "Yes, how resourceful you are." In every room there's a mans item but not any signs of a man living here. No shoes by the front door, no jacket on the coat rack. He has to be gone or missing. But looking at the old hag's face now and before she's changed. "He was here a few days ago, but once those strange noises came he's slowly started to leave until he was completely gone." I shake my head in sorrow.
    "What did he do, for work?" I felt like it was my job now to find this man and bring him back to his wife.
    "Wood cutter like yourself, went by Jonah Withie." I know that name he was traveling by when he stayed over at Milow's home. He was a kind gentle man. I knew he had some kind of kin. How couldn't he? Every Time I saw that man I thought of a young girl, brown hair, orange eyes.
    "Miss, do you have any kids." A part of me wants her to say no. If she does that mean she gone as well, but if she doesn't she will feel empty on the side I can't see.
    "No we both decided no kids until our house was big enough." Her smile grew on her face. "Let me make you dinner, you've traveled far to have come here. You also have that meeting coming up." Another meeting? Well I'm not to shocked. I sit at the table watching as she happily cut the bread and prepare the meal, after we are done with dinner she shows me where I sleep, there were two rooms in this house. The bed felt like entering a forbidden land of wonders. In the morning I notice she is back at it again quickly stirring something up out of some vegetables.
    "Good Morning Ma'am. Is there anywhere I can change?" I have nicer clothes in one of my bags I hope.
    "Good Morning dear. In the back there's a small shake the floor should be swept before you change." Alright that's cool with me. The little changing room was small. I got my pastel blue dress and lilac pink ribbon around it. It's a short fishtail dress, my favorite dress but I never get to wear it. She knocks at the door.
    "Darling are you ready some of the knights are here." She so kind those knights would have just knocked that door down.
    "I'm coming out now, thank you Miss." I open the small wooden door, noticing that the knights were just standing there. One of them had a cuff in their hands. "Sir that isn't needed i'm not an animal nor a criminal." He steps closer.
    "We have no idea what you are. All we know is that you came from those woods that have taken twenty five of our people, mostly workers. Why haven't you been taken!"
Run! They aren't going to have a meeting they're going to harm you. Inspect you.
You're back but why. Why help me! The guard grabs my wrist.
Life, or death. fate, or doing. I choose the right and it's not time yet. Run!
"Let go!" I rip my arm free pushing past both the knights and past the other three outside. Where do I go, I don't know this area and if I did these guards are everywhere. Is that because I'm here? .
     "You can't run here. I don't know what you were taught but look around pancakes. We're everywhere." Him! Not again I dislike everything about your soul, your being!
    "I'm going to that meeting yes. But not as a prisoner!" He nods his head to me like he can sympathize with me. "So lead the way."
    "Captain you found her! Here..."
"No! She is not being held as a criminal." Finally treat people with respect. Even if you can't trust them.
        While we are walking I listen into the knights conversation. My papa taught me to never do that but I'm afraid they'll start talking about me.
    "Commander asked us three days ago 'What is the best way to defeat your enemy' what do you think it could be." I shake my head, If they thought as true guard they would know.
    "It could be our weapons." He draws out his dagger. They all laugh. "Or the power of the mind." These guards are the laziest I have ever met and I've encountered many.
    "Can you kids stop! Here we are the meeting is inside." He points to the doors and stares back at the knights. "And Morgan you will be joining me." Not even giving him a chance to say yes or no. We walk in and see a large table with fancy people sitting around it in fancy chairs. I look around and see a wooden unfancy chair in the corner not being used. Mine I'm guessing. Everyone sits down and that means it time for this meeting to kick into gears.
    "Welcome everyone back once again. Last night I've thought over the maiden's stay." He looks over at me. "You will be staying here, and we found an empty house for you to stay in." He looks over at the others and start talking some whisper.
    "What about work. I can't just hope to stay here and do nothing. What can I do for a job." I truely can't just accept to stay and be welcome by all the locals here and not work like all the others.
    "You have your heart in the right direction. You will work at the blacksmith."I have never worked there, but that doesn't mean I have never tried. I nod my head in reply. "We will have two guards follow you for a whole year. Wherever you go they go. You eat at eight a.m for breakfast and for dinner you eat at seven p.m. I take no other demands or request." He stands up and so does everyone else. "Commander I'll let you choose the men who will accompany her." Sounds good I guess. I'm taking a new adventure. "Young Maiden may I ask you." The king walks over to me. "The men who dropped you off? What did they mean to you?" I stiffen, only one meant the sun and the moon to me. "The one that kissed you, now that he is gone. Were you two married?"
    "You know, when it works, love is pretty amazing. It's not overrated. There's a reason for all those songs." I pause and realize that I was letting my gate thro my walls break. "He wasn't my love, but he loved me so I could do nothing but give him my heart to keep his own from falling apart. We have to allow ourselves to be loved by the people who really love us, the people who really matter. Too much of the time, we are blinded by our own pursuits of people to love us, people that don't even matter, while all that time we waste and the people who do love us have to stand on the side and watch us. I realize what it is. It's him. Something about him makes me feel like I am about to fall. Or turn to liquid. Or burst into flames." He smiles to me.
"So he left with your heart and all you can do now is wish he'll return one day." he was right, but i know it will be a very long time before I see him again. So throughout the time he's gone I will have to slowly build a new heart. "You are thoughtful of you're gone lover. Hope you can move on someday. I have found great interest in you." Nice to know but.
"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. You have a grand valley to rule over." Never time for a lady like myself. I smile and wave my hand.
"When you're struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them, it's just as hard as what you're going through" The king calls out to me before I leave him all alone in his thoughts. I close the grand door and lean against it listening for any last words from the man who will break the heart that was being reunited.
"Sir she isn't trusted you said it yourself. We are not sure what she is capable of." I hear another man's voice from the other side. It has to be his personal knight.
"Devion, She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad. And that's important—you know. I asked her about the man Lucas told me about, she didn't show any pain."
"Maybe she truely didn't love him." I Do! Ellis was so gentle, and he keep Papa from flowing thro my mind.
"She did care for that low class guard. The way she spoke about love. It found it's way thro her voice to feel special." He was more than special. He was unique, no guard, no knight could be like him. "Where is Rolo?"
"He is on shift. Why sir?" Rolo, is that a real name? Lucas walks up to me.
"Are you waiting to be welcomed back into the room? Or are you just listening in." He has a weird mood switch. He gets really kind, but then switches to completely rude.
"Hold on." I place my hand on the door, I pull open the door. "Lord? You're Commander ask your knights a question. They seem as if they will never find the answer. The best way to defeat your enemy is to make them your friend." I close the door and face the commander. "Now, what do you need?"
"What do you mean. I can come up here if I want." Really, people don't just come to the lord's quarters to have a nice chat or to view around.
"You came up here for a reason. Anyways you already know he's busy with the bewitched lady in town. You know someone should really be watching her." I tease at him. His eyes shimmer.
"You're completely right. We really need people to watch her." He smiles and walks towards me. "But I wonder who." Why are you coming closer. My back hits the large entrance to the Lord's quarters. "You have caused so much trouble since you have gotten here." I notice that there has been two guards standing and watching from the start. Their just standing their protecting the door. Poorly. The Commander looks over to his left. "Rolo! You and... Jax will watch and stay with this lady." So you're Rolo, I've got a few questions in hold for you.
"Yes Commander! Anything I need to know."
"Yes she only eats at eight a.m and seven p.m. She works at the blacksmith, Clay's shop. Wherever she goes, you go. Let Jax know you hear me."
"Yes Commander!" Rolo Throws his hand to his forehead, like they do in the military. "M'lady please follow me. We must go get Jax. He's on duty right now."
"Okay." We start our way thru the many halls and doors. "So, Rolo. Is that your real name or is that like a stage name, a nickname.."
"Yes that is my name." He cuts me off so rudely.
"Are all the guards here cheeky? I mean every guard I have engaged with has been so hostile. It's rather unwelcoming." He doesn't say anything. "And not speaking to someone that has spoken to you is even ruder." He is unbelievable, my guards, Ellis's guards were so tolerant, so gentle, so tamed.
"Look I don't know where you were raised, but the last time we let an outsider into our valley it was seven years ago. We lost sixty two villagers, and among those men and women were seventeen knights. There was a war inside the gates. We have a hard time now allowing outsider's in." Really, I don't have anyway of making the kingdom fall apart again.
"If I may ask. What made the war happen?" He looks over to the window and stops.
"The queen was very young. Our lord fell in love with a teenager. Her name was Ruby, she was only eighteen. The outsider took her one night and in the morning he stood in this tower holding her out the window yelling 'Watch me, Watch as I break all of you. As your kingdom crumbles. It's all because your lord is to weak to choose the right love.' and he dropped her. We all had to watch as she fell to her death. No one could save her. We all loved her, we committed our lives to protecting the king and her. Her death broke the lord, but we still fought. That's when we lost the sixty two men and women." Did he lose anyone else that was close to him.
"Anyone close to you die, I know the queen was close to you by law but not by heart. Not soul." He places his hands on the board of the window.
"Yes. Jax, Clay, and myself made it out alive but,Vox he went first. He was in love with the queen way before the king ever loved her. He wanted revenge on the outsider. He died killing the man. He pushed the outsider out the window that the queen was dropped out of. But Vox fell out with him. I lost many people close to me that day. I won't let it happen again!" I understand now, I'm scary to most people. I look down at his hands they were shaking. He lifts his hand and wipes under his eyes "let's get going. Jax is straight ahead." He pushes off the window and walks faster up the hallway. I see a few guards. Their throwing punches at each other! Laughing and chanting fill the whole room.
"GO JAX!!"
"COME ON MARCAS!! JAX CAN NOT WIN!!" They're all screaming. There's a boy with brown hair, blue eyes, and a dirty white t-shirt, he was barely bruised, like he was never touched. On the other hand the other kid was tousled up, he had blonde hair but his back facing towards me I couldn't see anything else.
"Parties over." The untouched man calls out. "The lord's guard is here. Who's that's? Is that your..."
   "No Jax this isn't, she's that outsider that came in yesterday. I'm here to collect you." The men quickly throw back on their helmets and go back to their stations.
"So Commander picks you and I. He told all us yesterday night to keep an eye on it. But I don't think she needed personal babysitters." He laughs. "So all we do is watch her. Follow her wherever she goes?" Rolo nods his head. "No thanks, I didn't sign up to be a babysitter." He waves us off and grabs his helmet. He doesn't seem friendly.
"What am I going to tell the Commander. What should I say to the lord." Jax pause. He turns around with a grand smile on his face.
"Hey Shortcakes, I'm Jax and we're going to get to know each other very well." He walks back over sliding his helmet back over his head, covering his eyes. It reminds me of when Ellis covered his contraband face. I fall back I plant my hand on the ledge and close my eyes. Why is it when ever I think of him I feel so empty, I'm just so hollow inside.
"Wow Shortcakes, Are you okay." He so rude but so aware. I stand up straight, I'll be okay Ellis is gone now and that is okay, he's with Papa. "Hello. Shortcakes? You good?" I nod my head. Ellis, I need to forget about him. I need to move on already.
"Okay let's go show you around and get you to your job." Rolo says holding open the door. Why do I feel like not talking. I'm free to do whatever I want, I'm not a prisoner. We walk down a few stairs and thro the castle's door out to the main plaza. "Okay straight ahead there are the shops and trading post to the left there are the woods and other mysterious places, and to the right is the homes. Where should we go first." I point in front of me. I want to get to work right now. I need to get to know what to do as soon as possible. "You know you're aloud to talk, right?" He smiles down to me. "You shouldn't be scared here." I look up at him.
"I'm not scared," I look over at the people watching us walk down the path. "They are." I stop walk, staring at the floor. I let my hands dangle in front of me grabbing the end of my dress. "They don't trust me, they're scared it'll happen again." I feel strong hand on my shoulder.
"No they aren't they're just staring because we are walking with you. It's creating a large scene and I'm sorry for that." I look behind my shoulder and see Rolo looking sternly at me.
"Can we keep walk Rogue. We are almost to the blacksmith's place." Rogue is he talk about Rolo? But Rolo's name is just Rolo. Right? It could be his nickname. But Why didn't he answer me earlier with it was his nickname. "Okay Shortcakes this is how you walk. One foot in front of the other. And keep your balance." But why would you want to hide your real birth name from.... A total stranger. That's why, you can't trust an outsider here. No one can they aren't and will never be like the wood cutter's village. "Okay I'll have to carry you there." Rogue it's nice to know now, but I promise I'll keep it to myself and for now I will just call you Rolo.
Wake up. What! I'm curled up into someone's chest. Their shirt is white. Jax! I don't have to walk there's a good side. But, I look up see him look down at me.
"Why don't you talk? You're to strange Shortcakes." What's up with these nicknames that people are giving me? "Still not talking. Do you want me to set you down?" I shake my head. "What are you think in that head of yours, no one can stay quiet without thinking about something." I think about a lot of things, they're just not important.
"I think about the way I'm not welcomed here, and why do you care. Why does everyone fear me but yet help me?" He let's out a slight chuckle.
"I don't fear you, but remember I don't particularly like you either." The glow in his eye's was beautiful, but I don't like him. He reminds me too much of Ellis. I can't stay with him for a whole year!
"Here we are." Rogue points to the large shack in front of us. "This is Clay's shop. He doesn't bite so don't look so scare once you enter alright." Rogue is so confident that he knew everything about me. I'm not scared I just know how this is going to end. Clay isn't going to want me to work here because i'm going to scare away everyone. No one is going to want to come here because the outsider is here. I'll drop them out a window just like the outsider seven years ago! I walk in and right behind me was Rolo and Jax. What was i supposed to do, let them wait outside and cause an even bigger scene oh that's the last thing I'll ever want! One glance, and to not view everything in the Blacksmith's entrance it'll make you want to turn around and leave, but if you glance at it with care you will see why they were placed there. On one of the pillars in the room was a shield with the name Aria burned onto it.
"Aria The Flesh Stripper" I speak under my breathe.
"So you have heard of her? She's a great role model, but also made for tales to be told." I turn around seeing a man with brown leather boots, jeans, blue t-shirt and a brown vest. His hair was messed up and his face was covered his dust and sweat. "I am-"
"The person with the lower statis always states who they are and why they have come." I close my eyes. "I'm Luma Karta, I'm also known as the outsider." I open my eye's to notice a spark in his eyes, I slowly close them again. He wasn't scared he just had a glimpse of memory of what happened last time an outsider came. "I was brought here because my former village did not like that all I did was work." I lower my head doing so I quickly open my eyes. Ellis, Papa, everyone who showed they were my family the only things I owned and could call my refuge.
"Well, you seem harmless right now. I'm Clay, and I'm a released guard for the king." Why is he telling me this. "Miss, Karta i'm glad you were sent to work here. People in this valley aren't as pleasant as they look to be, Some will come for you, either to driving you out or to bring harm. Working here will not only teach you but train you." He turns around and walks to the other room. "I will show you what your job will be." i look back at Jax and Rolo. They wave me off and stay put in the room. When Clay and I make way into the other room I see a large stone furnace holding flames. "You're job is to test the weapons, seeing if they are capable of using." Great! I get to use weapons after all. I glance over and see a glaive, I grabs it and swiftly swing it around and point it at his neck.
"And you trust me with this why?" I'm the outside everyone disreputable me. "I'm the outsider remember!" I felt hot tears drop from my eye lids.
"I trust you because i know you. Luma, you're real last name is Glow not Karta. You live with you're Uncle in one of the five wood cutter villages ." I drop my arms to my sides. I turn my head slights to the side noticing the two dummies standing in the doorway. He's still talking to me, why does everyone know everything about me! I tighten my grip around the glaive.
"Shut It!" I turn on my heals throwing the glaive in between Jax and Rogue. "Everyone seems to know me so well! Well then tell my where my family is! Tell me why did they throw me to the side! Why am I cursed!" The ground look like it was getting closer, I soon end up on my knees. My hands start to glow.
Let me take it from here.
Can you even do that?
Yes now relax it makes to transformation easier and less painful. Painful! But? The glowing in my hands change,. Instead of being a glow of amazement, it's a shimmer of pain. I let out a scream of pain.
"Stop you're going to kill me!" Please Spirit. Stop I'll die if you keep this up!
You're stronger than that I know that. I shut my eyes tightly. Please make it end. When I open my eye's the glow changed, not just the feeling but the look, I was wearing Nakagami Armor.
'What happen to me?' No one replies to me.
I'm in control which means they can't hear you. Oh I get it. "Listen here I am Zander Nuska, Luma's Guardian Angel! Sorry if I scared you during the changeover." I'm going to have to knock you out for this part. Ehh! "I just knocked her out, She shall not hear this part. She herself is not aware of who she is but you will. Don't tell her anything of what we discuss about. Luma has Ten different forms. This is one of them, she doesn't know how to activate it or any of them at that. So try not to make her mad her damage abilities are high. She needed my help to open this one." These humans are strange for their kind.
   "What are these forms?" Rogue speaks.
"Well Clay, Jax, and Sir Rogue. This form is called The Nakagami Armor.
Another form she has is Giant's Armor.
The third one is known as Sea Empress Armor.
Fourth will be Farewell.
Another Flight Armor.
Sixth And to stop right here and tell you. I think that Luma should not be a Blacksmith she should be a knight. This tenth form is called Heart Crest and it is the orignal form she will take on when she finally knows who she is.
Seventh,The Seduction Armor
Eighth, She Devil.     
Ninth, the strongest Heaven
"I know this one." Clay jumps ahead and explains it. "Almost every part of this armor is seemingly made of silver metal. Luma also wears a neck guard made of feather-like slabs and a tiara with prominent metal wings."
"That is correct and lastly Night Wing," Everything about these humans are off they should be overwhelmed about this but yet their dredging for more.
"Do you know her past, that would help us." Jax crosses his arms.
"She lost her right eye as a child and now has an artificial one. Luma's specialty in weapons Magic allows her to requip different outfits.
Luma is a very open person, often criticizing the bad behavior and habits of the other guard members, causing most of them to apologize, fearing that they might invoke her wrath. She is also very impatient. This, coupled with her own tragic childhood, caused many of her allies to avoid her due to her social awkwardness. However, she has a great sense of justice and pride in being a member of any 'family'."
"Anything else about her past?" Clay asks. He doesn't seem afraid and mostly the fact that I could kill this whole town if I really wanted to.
"Nothing I can think of.... Wait. Long ago around twelve years, Luma's village was burned down. All the adults were sloder and whatever child they found they took. Luma saved many kids that night but, while running to chase the kidnappers away Luma was caught and taken away. Her and the others were kept at the base until Luma thought of a plan that could kill her but get everyone else out. Luckily she's alive to this day and during the escape only lost an eye. If she ever cries notice that she can only cry out of her left one." All their faces changed, they were contrite. "I'm going to let her come back. She will be knocked out so don't be alarmed, also once she truely does wake up she will be in overwhelming pain. Don't tell her anything I told you. Or I will return." Welcome back Luma, you're friends will be waiting. Please wake up when you feel it is time. There were chatting all around, but they were muffled nothing came thro. Slowly things became halcyon, I could feel things but couldn't move or speak. The men were still out there. Where ever there was. I listened for them, any sign of them being alright is good enough for me. Rolo? Where are you let me hear you, let me know you're out there.
"So what are we supposed to tell her? She's a wizard?" I listen as Jax goes haywire about someone her, or a girl.
"Remember what that thing told us. We are to play nice." They both shuffle around for a bit.
"What are we supposed to tell the lord?" Rogue. "What should we say? That this could be worse than the last outsider, should we throw her?" The air gets heavy, a bit tense.
"Is that all you think about, being Mr. Lord's marionette! She's a person you know, and as we were informed by Zander she has no idea of what she is. We can't just throw her now, it's like being thrown away again. We are a family here, and our family is built up of wonderful people." Jax? Did he really just say that? I NEED TO WAKE UP!
"Hey, so I know that we aren't supposed to make her up set and all but what do we call the incident that just happened, I mean she could have killed one of us. Zander said she should be a knight? Will the lord even allow that to happen." Clay speaks quietly. They need to know I can hear them! This is wrong I shouldn't be listening. I try once more to move my body on the outside.
"Gentle men, we should stop talking about this she could wake up anytime and wonder what we are talking about. I don't like lying that's for sure." For the first time in awhile everything was quiet, everything was in peace.
"I'm sticking by her side, even if she tries to push me away! It is my honor to protect her. And she shall be known as.." I felt it I did it. My foot twitched. They noticed it. "Luma are you awake, open your eyes or something." Rolo gently speak out to me.
The effect that might happen once you are fully awake are, dizziness, pain in you lims, and even effects to your hearing, eye vision, or touch. I was slightly afraid of opening my eyes so far hearing is fine, but I haven't touched anything yet and my eyes are shut. I lean forward, the ground was cold but under me was warm. My touch was fine. I slowly open my eye's. My left eye was slightly blurred off in the corner. I throw my hands over my eyes.
"Oh Spectria!" I curl my fingers into fists keeping them over my eyes "I was happy to know there were no side effect but this. No!" I was over reacting, and I could tell but I chresard my vision. I love seeing and remembering that moment, my eyes are rare my Papa said. Having pure yellow eyes isn't normal. Neither is having red hair to follow it.
"Luma what wrong. Are you okay?" I remove my hand and look up to them. I left one hand over my blinded eye. I looked closely at them what I could see was remorse. "It's alright nothing's wrong." Clay smiles. He was standing to the left of me so it was hard to see if it was a real smile.
"I can't see you can you come closer..." I whisper, my voice was faint. It made me sound sick.
"What do you mean you can't see!" Jax grab my hand that was still covering my left eye. I shut both eyes and gasp. "Let us see your eye!" Jax's grip on my wrist get tighter. I open my left eyes, and grinded my teeth together to keep me from shouting out in pain.
"Are you... Glad now?" My voice made me sound so innocent. He lets go.
"Is that permanite? We can fix you right? Stand up were going to take you to Millie!" Rolo kneels down. I shake my head. I can't, I can't fell my body below my shoulders.
"No.." It took them by surprise.
"What do you mean no," Clay crosses his arms.
"I mean no I can't, I mean I can't feel my body." Rolo stand up throwing his arms back making him stumble backwards. I slowly place my hand over my eye again. Clay puts his hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay we know someone who can help you." He smiles to me. I look at Jax, he looked scared. I smile and let out a small laugh.
"I know, and If she can't help that fine." I smile closing both of my eyes.
"How can you be happy about this! You just lost the sense of feeling and you blind in one eye, you are useless." My smile grows smaller but I'm still smiling, I open my eyes half way looking down at the floor.
"I know I'm as useful as a man in prison." I look up. "But I won't give up on myself." I know I will get better and once I do I'll show everyone I can make it. I'm not just a girl. Clay smiles picking me up.
"Can you feel your hands?" we stare at my hands trying to concentrate on them.
"I can't feel anything, but hey Millie can help me I know it." I look over at Rolo. "You should believe in me you know I'm strong." I look back at Clay and nod my head. "I'm ready to go please." He swings me around onto his back giving me a piggy-back-ride. He carried me all the way over to the old lady's house I stayed at that one night and told her the news she handed me a small pebble and one to Clay. Clay makes sure I'm okay and then continues walking. We walk past the main village and to a small house. One of the smallest ones in the valley. Clay knocks twice and opens the door. On the inside it was like you entered thro a magical forest. He walks up stairs and sets me on a white chair and walks out of the room. I could hear him begging to someone, or something. A really really young girl walks in. Her eyes go wide.
"My queen," she whispers. I smiles slightly. I notice her ears are pointed, an Elf? A small picksy flies in whispers into her ear and then sits on her staff. "Hello Luma. It's great to see you again. We've missed you every single one of us has." Her eyes slowly light up. Clay steps in.
"She doesn't remember that. She came here because She's blind in one eye and she can't move her body." Her eyes shot to me, like What Happened.
"Can you help me," I tilt my head to the left. She rushes around the room grabbing handfuls of bottles tossing some to Clay.
"When I ask for a bottle hand it to me you got it Clay!" He nods his head looking over to me.
"Of courses." After at least three hours I wake up rubbing my eyes.
"I can move my arms, and my legs." I'm back... But my eye. It's still blind. "Could you do nothing about my eye." She shake her head.
"I'm sorry Luma. All I could do is make it look a little bit more real." She looks down walking out of the room. The picksy following her. I held it back for so long, My tears build up on my eyelids. I cough stopping the tears from coming. Clay's head is resting on the counter.
"Hey, Clay!" I sit up looking sliding out of bed. "Clay? Are you ready to go home?" I place my hand on the chair. I shake his head waking him up. I took the time to look around the room. She had many fairy lights hung around the room, She had many shelves just full of different chemicals. Potion maker, that's helpful around towns. She had no cage for her picksy, that means she also trains. Sadly i have none of these amazing skills all i got is a blind eye.
"I can see your better, and your eye! Your all fixed up." He's so glad, i shouldn't been the one to ruin it.
"Yes it is all better, Millie did it." The light in his eyes was heartbreaking, I lied. I'm sorry Papa.
"Are you okay, are you ready to go back?" He stands up. Yes i'm ready to go. I nod my head and turn around heading out the door and down the stairs. Her house was beautiful, but I still had to get used to this one vision thing. As we walk back I keep my eyes on the people. Nothing will change the way they look at me. I'm the dangerous one here. Their the pray. I look from face to the next face, seeing the hatred and the fear. I wanted to just run and hide but that doesn't change the fact that they hate me. I notice three kids trying to take a orange from a cart. I walk over and kneel down to them. They turn around scared out of their minds. I smile and grade five oranges paying the man behind the cart extra.
"Here, and make sure you're parents have one." I turn on my heels and walk back to Clay. Before I get too far away I turn my head and wave to them. They stood there, surprised but I could see more then that they were happy. They ran into a crowd of kids yelling about what happen. 'The mystery lady is a gift, not a punishment.' I felt proud, but yet sick. I help to children and once they tell their parents they'll get in trouble. I put my hand crossed behind my back and look up at the sky. Clear skies and chaos in my garden. We walk into the Blacksmith's shop and run into Jax and Rolo.
"How are you, obviously you can walk but you're eye?" I think, if I keep this lie up they'll find out somehow but if I keep this lie going there's one thing they have to worry about.
"My eye is great, Millie did great!" I walk past them and pick up the glave I threw earlier and put it back where it goes. Clay walks up behind them and throws his arms around them pulling both Rogue and Jax closer.
"Everyone is going to love Luma! She is a caring person and I should know." His grin grows past his ears.
"How so." Jax breaks free turning his back to them and facing me. I was picking up all the weapons and placing them where they should go.
"Because in the plaza she bought the Orphans oranges. And made them feel special. You know how people treat those kids. No one would buy them food, they think that if they want to be adopted they have to be able to get their own food." I drop a pocket knife, and stare at the floor.
"They're orphans?" The floor started to change colors. Red was filling the cracks of the floor boards. "Excuse me, but where is a wash clothe. The dagger has rust forming." I hide the blood that was dripping from my palm.
"Umm yeah, it's right here." Clay walks over
"Stop! Just pass it over here. You can't ruin the surprise." I flash a convincing smile to them. I place the rag around my palm and move the rug over the stained wood. With the rag around my hand I wipe clean the blade. "Alright what are we going to do-" The door opens, and a tall man walks in. His armor was amazing and the weapon requip is amazing. Clay turns and smiles,
"Welcome to the blacksmith's shop how can I assist you." The man places a sheet down on the workers table.
"My staff was trashed in a little chest game." He looks straight at me. His stare never left me.
"This is luma, Rider. She is a newbie." Clay shots me a smile.
"If that's true then why are there top guards here.Or is it that you turned your back on this valley and welcome the outsider into the shop. Remember we can't trust anyone." He grab his staff and turns around. He can't just hate this shop now because I work here. I sprint over to Rider and grab his shoulder.
"Pardon me sir, I know your name is Rider but trust is a huge part of life so for now I will call you sir. I'm Luma, and I am here because my Papa sent me away. My old life was full of work so he sent me off to a larger town. I don't want you to leave without knowing I'm trying my hardest to show everyone that I will be the one who tries to save this kingdom when someone tries to bring it to ruins." The man doesn't look at me he turns around and places his staff back on the counter.
"Hey over here and fix my damn staff!"