Reia- A Novella (COMPLETE)

Chapter 19

Shock rolled in waves through Morai's mind for the better part of a minute. Goiya loked on, clearly pleased with himself. But gradually, the shock was replaced with complete, numbing fury. A burning rage was all Morai felt as he stood, facing Goiya once more.

"I can kill the girl this time," Goiya suggested smugly. "It's up to you, really."

But something in Morai's eyes made Goiya pause, made the smile drain from his crimson face. That kid was really losing it, wasn't he? Morai's eyes glowed and burned to gold, his skin faded green again, and he rose to look Goiya in the eye.

"You're going to want to back up, Mr. Paira," Goiya said, covering his fear with condescension. He fought to keep the nervous edge out of his voice. "I can kill her, you know."

"And lose your leverage? I doubt it," Morai snarled. But it surely didn't sound like Morai Paira. "Go ahead. Try."

"Y-you don't care?" Goiya said, alarm spreading through him like a wildfire. "I'll do it! I'll kill her!"

Hazira's arm began to lift, but Morai threw out a hand. Her eyes cleared- Goiya instantly lost his grip on her, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Hey!" Goiya shouted, fighting panic. Morai was walking towards him slowly.

"This is what that word string does to people like us, Goiya," Morai said, his mutated voice shaking. "You were a good person once, too. But now you've got blood on your hands. And soon, so will I."

"Blood on your hands- surely you aren't talking about-"

"And surely you weren't talking about killing my mentor," Morai interrupted, his voice oozing with venomous, caustic sarcasm. "Surely. Kill someone? We civilized folk would never."

"Mr. Paira," Goiya said, beginning to laugh nervously. "Just, wait a moment." Morai didn't listen. A dark spear appeared in his hand once more. Goiya's eyes were wide, animalistic with fear.

"MORAI!" somebody screamed as Morai raised his hand. Without a moment's hesitation, he drove the spear straight through Goiya's chest. Goiya crumpled, swiping vaguely at the spear jutting out of him before collapsing dead on the ground.

He flickered- for a moment he looked almost human- and then he was gone.

Morai had expected calmness- something tranquil, maybe even shock after killing Goiya. But instead he was still brimming with anger. He wanted to smash Goiya's skull between his fingertips.

"Morai..." Hazira's voice called desperately. The tone of her voice made Morai spin around, concerned. Was she alright?

But Hazira was fine- it was Morai she was fearful for. His anger spluttered out instantly, like a candle dropped in water. The green faded from Morai's skin, his eyes turned back to grey, and he shrunk to his normal stature. There was still Hazira...

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Morai paused. "Yes," he finally said; his voice sounded oddly high-pitched after what it had been before. "I'll live."

"That's not what I meant," Hazira said gently. She watched Morai's figure carefully. He closed his eyes, pressed the palms of his hands to his forehead, and shuddered.

He sighed, looking Hazira in the eyes. "Like I said, I'll live."

Hazira pursed her lips, deciding not to press him further. "We should go."

"Alright," Morai croaked meekly, without any aggression. He was the antithesis of the man who had killed Goiya moments before.

"What... what should we do with Marfa?" she asked gently.