Genesis

Chapter 8

It was merely a few minutes before dawn. The sun crept slowly over the hills, its light slowly overpowering the once black forest. Amidst the dim light of the dawn, two bodies were still upon the forest floor. Duiguid’s and Sadigq’s. Neither of the two could comprehend what had happened. How were they injured so severely? How could they not have seen him move, when they were both so close to him? Did he attack from behind as he dodged? Or was it while he was dodging? The situation just defied all reason of logic. Sadigq touched his chest. The crest was burning, yet the pain wasn’t there. He looked at Duiguid who was backing him. He wasn’t sure if he was conscious or not. He knew both were injured, but he also wondered as to why Duiguid wasn’t using his ability he used when they had fought to quickly self-recover. Then he heard something.  The faint approach of footsteps, that slowly grew louder as someone appeared. Terror struck him. He hope that is wasn’t a hunter. He summoned what he had left of his strength to look up to get a glimpse of the person. He could barely lift his head as the shadow of the figure approached. Then everything went black. When he awoke, he found himself next to Duiguid who was still unconscious. He heard the sound of people chatting outside and the voices of children as they played in the streets. “A village?” He thought. “Wasn’t the nearest village four or five miles away from where we were?” He was about to get up, when he heard a voice. 

“Please don’t move. You wounds are yet to heal.” It was a very stern looking woman, with crisp, long green hair, wearing a kimono suited for battle. Her eyes were also green, her skin a tan complexion. Yet despite her stern appearance, there was something gentle about her. He figured that it was her who had treated both he and Duiguid’s wounds. “Thank you.” He said. “My name is Sadigq.”

“I’m Mi.” the lady said. I’m the doctor of this village and the owner and master the nearby dojo. Although you and your friend sustained the same injuries, he hasn’t seemed to awaken yet. Will he be okay?” Sadigq wasn’t even sure. He looked at Duiguid. He just laid there, his face devoid of all around him. His body as cold as the former night.

Unknown to all however, that was indeed the work of Obelisk, who was now conversing with Duiguid in the place known as “Mochidzuki”.

“My patience wears thin.” Said Obelisk. “I was promised three ratios of blood, yet only one was given. Why?” 

Duiguid seemed confused. After all, hadn’t he practically killed countless hunters’ only days before? Or maybe it may be that Obelisk’s want was not his. A voice woke him from his deep thoughts. “Duiguid!”  He snapped back to reality. Obelisk face, though calm still gave the impression of a very upset wolf. “I sense that a great fighter will be one of many opponents in this so called training you’ve been sent to do.” Duiguid felt insulted by the last statement. Whaddya mean “so called”?” he growled. It was at this point that Obelisk turned into his human form. He stood face to face with Duiguid each staring the other into the eye. Then he delivered a much unexpected punch. Duiguid was caught off-guard and so absorbed the entire blow. As he picked himself up, Obelisk spoke to him. “In your pride you have dimmed your own senses. You should have been able to counter that. The strange man is in my beliefs right. Some training may do you good.” Duiguid looked up with anger boiling through his veins. He knew he had no weapons here and so looked up to see the moon. If it was out, he may be able to prove a point to Obelisk. Then as he looked up, what he saw caused nothing more but horror and shock. The full moon was slowly breaking apart, as well as the far off landscape. He could do nothing in his shock but stare at Obelisk.

“Yes.” Said Obelisk. “Within every defeat, a part of this world will slowly crumble. When you show doubt in yourself you limit me from bonding fully with you. Now you know what to do.”

“Now, get up!”

And Duiguid awoke, and saw Sadigq and a woman staring over him.

He got slowly, his body lazy from the effects of the drugs. “Uh-nuh!  Where are we?”  He asked Sadigq. Then he looked at the woman.  "I figure you helped us. Thanks but we must be going.”  Sadigq crept next to him and whispered in his ear. “We can’t leave.”