Flash of White

Chapter One

As the cool blossom drifted across my cheek I felt myself flinch, moving swiftly away from the tree, which shed‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ its flowers like a dog sheds it fur during the summer‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍. As soon as I started moving, the unsheathed katana resting on my curled fingers bit into my skin, ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍and beads of blood sprang forth, I wince‍‍‍‍‍d‍, then carefully shifted my weight and continued standing stock still. The trial. The hardest test for a Kain to face on their way to gaining full rights into this world, to not be monitored by the headsmen. I watched the ground in front of me carefully, trying to keep from shouting at the torture of standing still. I remembered what the headsman told me when I started the trial.

"Kataya, you are the last possible Kain of your line, so you must pass your test‍‍‍‍‍‍.",‍‍‍‍‍‍ he had whispered into my ear as I went outside, into the large field, a blank slate, except for the roaring of the wind through the grass and the single flowering tree in the middle. Those words had scared me more than anything else, I was alone, an orphan, and it was my duty to continue the noble line I was descended from. Even so, the katana on my unguarded fingers seemed to weigh more and more with each passing minute, and the sun beat down like hammers on my back, even with the shield of the trees' shade. It was clear to me why this was the final test to becoming a Kain. The solitude‍‍‍‍‍ would ‍‍‍‍‍drive you insane, the pain from the katana biting into your skin would make you long for the end, and the only way to keep from the pain was to stand stock still, but that would cut off the flow to your legs, causing you to collapse, ending your trial instantly. It took intense concentration, and will power to stand there with the sword in your hands for the day. I took a deep breath, and focused on the area around me.

The ants moved through the earth, their tiny feet pounding the earth into place, the swallows and jays glided serenely over the field, oblivious to me. Rabbits raced through the grass, chased by foxes. I shifted my weight slightly and was rewarded by the sting as the katana cut deeper, and continued listening; straining my ears I heard soft footsteps moving through the grass, undetectable by human ears and just barely by my untrained ones. Keeping my eyes on the ground I focused on the sword in my hand, it was made of blued steel, with small circles from the hammering that made it stronger than any sword made in the other kingdoms, the metal followed a classic shallow arc before tapering to a needle sharp point. The sword had dual reason, one, to bring us pain if we didn't do as the trial requires, and also, if any enemies came along, it was to be used for its original purpose of carving the enemy.

"You there, girl, where is this place?” a harsh voice called to me, looking up I saw two humans looking around at the field, confused. I snorted softly, and swiftly shifted the grip on the weapon so the swords hilt rested easily in my bloodied palm.

"That is not necessary for you to know. How did you come about this field?” I was relieved to hear that my voice didn't shake like my legs, and my weapon didn't either. The two humans glanced at each other, and then laughed.

"How did we get here? We did something called walking, ever heard of it, and drop that weapon, little girl.", the one who seemed to be a ringleader called out to me, I felt myself bristle and my body stiffened at his comments, and if humans had actually made it into the Field of the Solitary that means the wards were gone, and that the demons who were banished to the darkness could come to the light, and if that was the case, the entire training grounds were in danger of being swamped. I sighed and sheathed the katana onto my back, marching forward and grabbing their two arms I started towards the entrance of the field.

"You two have to come with me, be quite or I will cut out your tongues, understand?", turning my head slightly I saw their dumbfound face nodding at me. I practically had to drag them out of the field and into the small village. People moved by peacefully but I was getting strange looks for the company I was dragging about, looking towards the ground, I heaved a deep sigh then kept walking. Running a hand through my hair I marched up to the headsman’s house and knocked on the door. Looking back at my two prisoners I saw the same idiotic look of awe as they gazed through the town, I snorted, then rolled my eyes, the two of them were dumber than a sack of potatoes.

"Kat! There you are! Why aren't you at the trial, did you fall over? Are they going to punish you?" I heard a cheerful voice remark in front of me, yelping I jumped and faced the door, standing in front of me was my best friend, Kai, smiling slightly I shook my head and yanked the two men up and pointed to them.

"Humans, in the field. It means the wards are down, I had to report." I smiled slightly at his mess of a hairdo and insane grin. He nodded, then turned back into the house and brought out one of the oldest men I had seen.

"Kataya Naere, you brought two humans here." he looked down at me and I nodded, slightly in awe. If my teachers were to be believed, and they were, then this was the leader of the entire Kain operation, and his power was to be respected and awed.

“Y-Yes sir, they wandered into the field, it means the repelling wards are down, I thought it would be best to warn you, even if I was during my trial.”, my voice shook, I winced inwardly and refused to meet his gaze.

“That is a good sentiment, but our sensors had already picked them up. But do not worry, because you took the best course of action we shall mark it that you completed your trial, but you must take these humans back to the lands that belong to their kind.” My blood rushed in my ears, I looked up at him, my eyes huge, my heart beating like a drum during the midsummer festival. I nodded to his orders and grabbed their arms, running to my house. I practically threw the two guys, who I now noticed were about my age onto my couch and turned to them.

“Um… Ms. Ninja mam, what do you want us to do now?” questioned the ringleader, I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

“Sit there and wait until I am ready to go, then we shall leave, if you don’t understand stab yourself with a katana.” I snapped before rushing into my room. I kneeled by my dressed, where I kept human clothes so I might be able to blend in. Even with the orders I felt myself trembling like a leaf with excitement. Passing the final trial means many things, I can find out what my katana really looks like, I can go out on missions and jobs, and I can actually use my powers. Taking a deep, somewhat steadying breath I pulled out the clothes issued to all Kains when they finish basic training.

Jeans. A plain black t-shirt. Boots. That was the basic uniform for a Kain in the real world; I quickly changed into it and braided my hair back. Plopping onto my bed I rested my hand on my sword sheath, it would be to noticeable if I wore it on my side, sighing, I sat up and shifted the strap, slinging it over my shoulder I walked out.

“Ms. Ninja mam, are we going to go somewhere now, are you going to kill us?” mumbled the ringleader. I raised an eyebrow, then crossed my arms.

“I just have some questions. Question one, what are your names.” My voice was emotionless, and I hoped my face was as well.

“I’m Adrian and that’s Will.” The quieter of the two said, I looked over at him my surprise mirrored in the face of his friend.

“Here I was, thinking you were a mute. Now, question two, where do you live?” I looked at the quieter one carefully. He was all together average, dark brown hair in a buzz cut, uninteresting brown eyes, tan, average and monotone.

“Just north of here, I think. Where is this, it isn’t on any map.” The ringleader said hurriedly trying to regain his position as the dominant one. I nodded then strolled to the door.

“I’m taking you back there then. Stand up, we are leaving” I walked out the door, not bothering to check if they were behind me, I could have heard their hearts racing and their fear skyrocketing from a mile away. Sighing I knew that the fear would attract the demons and I knew I was going to have to move fast, shaking my head I looked up and saw we were a the gate. It was giant and painted red, with gold leaf and mother of pearl inlay.

“Umm… are you going to tell us where we are going?” the ringleaders, whose name I now knew was Adrian.

“I told you already, I am taking you back to your home.” I snapped, then started walking again, as soon as we moved through the gate I felt my self thrown forward. Using the momentum from the jolt I rolled through on the ground and unsheathed my katana. Looking at what had hit me I shuddered in revulsion. Dark scaly skin that glistened with slime, huge tusk like teeth, and large razor sharp claws. Gritting my teeth I glared at it, the wards were truly down if a lower class like this could make it through.

“WHAT IN THE EVER LOVING WORLD IS THAT?!?” I flinched as the loud voice blared from behind me, and growled as the lower class crouched, ready to attack.