Beauty Scars

The Fear Of The Woods

"Shade! I demand you release Kythone now!" Aura snapped and pressed the spear on his neck harder. Shade shook his head.

"Aura stand down." Mrs.Talla walked over and looked at Shade. Aura sighed and shook her head but backed down. "Prince Shade." Mrs.Talla bowed her head.

"Mrs.Talla? Wow you haven't aged a bit since we were little." Shade said, smiling a bit. "I see Kythone is still as reckless as ever." He looked at Kythone, who was still passed out, and his smile seemed to brighten.

"Kythone has been pushing himself recently, yes. I'm quite sorry about him. I'll take him if you wish."Mrs.Talla reached up for him but Shade swatted her away.

"Lunar and I can carry him thank you very much! Now gather everyone and let's go. We have little time for this." Shade huffed and turned his horse to a path in the woods. Mrs.Talla gathered everyone and stood behind the horse and off they started to the darkness of the woods.

The woods were dark and cold. Anni and Aatami were huddled up with Aura, holding onto her shorts. Shade was still holding Kythone, trying his best to keep him warm. Mrs.Talla had been talking with Mrs.Nurr and holding onto Ommin, who by this time had been shivering like a leaf in the wind. The men of the village were in front with their swords drawn. Shade swore he heard soft giggles gliding evilly in the wind.

Soon Lunar refused to walk. The young children stopped too. The silence grew as they tried to get the children and horse to move. Soon the only sound they could hear was Kythone's soft breathing.

"Brother ...Awake...." The giggles were replaced by the repeating of these words. "Brother .....Awake ...Brother .... Awake.... BrotHER....AWAKE......BROTHER ...AWAKE ...!" It got louder and louder, soon an overbearing, piercing, scream. Kythone shot up with a gasp.

"Šɨşťễŕ!" Kythone was ghostly white as he tried to run. Shade grabbed him before he could fall off Lunar. "No! No no no! Let go! Go!" Kythone kicked and screamed.

"Kye! Kye!" Shade yelled at him and tried to keep him from falling. "Kye! Please! You're safe! You're safe!" He pulled him into a hug as Kythone sobbed. "You're safe. I promise you're safe..." Kythone finally hugged back, crying into his shoulder.

Shade was worried. Beyond worried. This was his best friend who was slowly falling apart. He had witnessed all the horrors of the world but had stayed quiet and caring. Kythone was the most gentalist, caring, loving person Shade had ever met. Shade owed him everything, but seeing him like this, he seemed like a broken doll. He was so scared of his sister. He was terrified to say the least.

"Aura? What's happening to Kythone?" Aatami asked, trying to reach out to him. Shade gave him a glare and would've hit his hand away but that would bother the poor boy that fell back asleep, clinging to him.

"Kythone is afraid." Aura softly explained to him while getting something from Kythone's bag, which she was now carrying. She got out a vile of lavender and roses and slowly approached the two boys. "Here this will calm him. Will you let me?" Shade instead snatched it from her and held it to Kythone.

"Kye? Please wake up." Shade shook him softly and held the vile to him. Kythone slowly lifted his head and smelled the calming flowers. "There we go. Safe. You're safe."

"Where am I?" He asked as he looked around.

"We're in the woods. On our way to my kingdom." Shade explained softly as he patted his back. "Now I'm going to cover your ears and you'll sit here and not bother me."

Kythone almost protested but soon his ears were covered and Lunar was continuing to trot. The children came out of their trance and continued to walk.

Soon they came to a clearing and decided to stay there for the night. A young girl named Rose used her magic to make a simple hut. Everyone gathered around the fire and Kythone was sat in between Aura and Shade, a very awkward setting. Anni and Aatami were making strawberry and raspberry bushes with Mrs.Talla supervising.
"Kythone? How do you feel?" Aura asked, hugging him to her side protectively.

"I feel......confused? Tired?" He shrugged. Kythone looked at Shade and smiled. "Thank you. For helping me I mean. Maybe you really do still care for me." Shade's expression looked confused. Then it turned into a smile and a small nod.

"I guess I was a bit of a jerk. I'm sorry Kye." Shade patted his shoulder and gave him a thumbs up.

Kythone smiled and put his hand over the fire. The flames danced around his hand and kissed his skin with painful kisses. He hummed softly as he pulled out some moonflower seeds.

"I believe it's story time. Children gather around." Kythone waved them closer and tossed the seeds into the fire. The flames turned a purple/blue swirl. It turned to pictures with every word he spoke.