A Song of Darkness

Chapter 3 Part 2

No I cant

I would never be able to kill him.

If I kill him, would he actually die?

Is this just a dream?

No

This is real

This is what my dream was

When I looked into those damn eyes, I don't see the boy I once knew. I see the body that stands in the way of my goal. I dropped from his embrace. Putting much needed distance between us. I can't be near him while I sort this out.

I walk away from his warmth, crossing towards the opposite side of the clearing. I run my hand through my hair, trying to calm my rising heartrate and breathing. The thought of trying to kill him is unimaginable. That's the purpose of these trials, though right? To kill those, you love. To leave everything that is mortal behind.

The true trial is the ability to sacrifice all that you love. To give yourself fully to the order, the ability to be able to control your emotions. Love was not a feeling we had. We kill it. Remove it from our being.

I heard his swift footsteps towards me, the pleading in his voice. "Rhiannon, wha-"

With a swift motion, I twisted around and pulled my dagger from my thigh to his throat. He taught me this move; never did I imagine I would use it against him. "I'm sorry Kill." My eyes began to water, but I wouldn't allow it. I dragged in as much air through my nose as I could. Willing the air to burn my lungs and feel the pressure build in my chest. I kept my eyes on him, not giving him any advantage to overpower me.

His gentle eyes turned hard, he put his hand on my wrist and pressed the blade further into his throat. His lips pulled back in a sneer, "Do it Rhiannon. The mighty warrior to be. The one to save our generation. Beloved by the council." His apprising words stung me to my core. Before I could comprehend, he stepped back and unsheathed his sword. "Come Princess, lets see how much you learned. I'll give you time to prepare."

"Kill-"

"No Rhiannon. You will do this. It is written on your face. This will make it easier and fair." He used my full name, and that was all I needed to know that he was serous.

I tried to hide my fear, but I couldn't, my hands shook ever so slightly. Letting his hands drop to the side I walked a couple paces from him. The wind swiftly allowing my red hair to graze my back, sending shivers through me which was then chased away by the flame of the fire. I hadn't not turned towards Killian. I couldn't look at his face, the look of my betrayal plastered against his sharp jawbone. I could hear him rustling. His pacing through the woods beating into my ears. I didn't know what to feel. When we were younger, I had always had a little crush on him since I was first brought with the Mistress. When I was just 12, he was but 15, he had only looked at me as a sister or sparring partner. Never had he felt or showed any inclination of feelings towards me.

As we were both coming of age, we would joke and flirt casually. We would surly share a bath together after a long day of training, but it was nothing more than a time to talk together and wash ourselves. Anything further had been forbidden for the Keloti. Love was stripped from us. Only the Keloti would mate with seducers from the gentleman's house to keep the lineage going. However, Killian never took to that. He had told me he rather share a bed with a pig than a woman. So, the thought of his feelings toward me never seemed imaginable. Now I sat here, puzzled with the sexual tension between us now. I had never allowed myself to imagine a life with anyone, only the dedication to the Keloti. It had been engraved in my brain for 9 years.

My beathing became slow as I willed ice into my veins. I needed to be calm and to reserve my energy. He can use my emotions against me.

What am I thinking? This is wrong. I shouldn't have to kill him.

Killian cleared his throat, "Stop stalling."

When I looked back, there his was in all his glory. She was lean with muscle; his pants were tight leaving nothing to imagination. But as I looked more, I did not see my friend. No, I saw an obstacle. A slab of meat that was in my way. This was the way. For hundreds of years since the War of the Gods. Now, it was my duty. Even if I became a monster for not loving. I'm not doing it for me. I'm doing it for Eon.

I lunged for him. Sweeping my leg out and connecting with his ankle causing him to trip. As he stumbled, I used this to my advantage. Straddling him, I landed a couple punches to his rib and face. Then, I tried to swiftly place my dagger at his throat. I should have known that he would use his strength against me. He grabbed my wrist rolled me over. Pressing the sharpened tip between my breasts. An inch more and I would be dead.

His breathing was even and controlled while mine was scattered. I tried to move my hips to shove him off. It was useless. As I pressed my hips up, I felt his arousal hard on my stomach. I froze. Killian was swift as he pinned my arms above me. When I met his gaze, all what was in those eyes was lust. Not the desire to protect himself. As if he found my attack humorous. His eyes flicked down to my mouth. I felt his muscles tense as he tilted his head and leaned down.

No, I won't allow him to kiss me again.

The closer he got, the more prepared I became. When he was just a breath away, I slammed my head into his. Causing him to reel back and clutch his face and for me to start seeing stars.

I scrambled up onto my feet, backing away from him. I looked around for something to defend myself with.

"You bitch," Killian was holding his bleeding nose with one hand and tugged a knife with the other.

I didn't know what to expect but it wasn't him attacking me with so much hatred. I knew he had a temper, but I never realized that hurting him like this would turn him into some monster.

He charged at me. Absently swinging his blade towards my neck and arms.

"Killian Stop!" I put my arms up to block his attack, but he swiped across my forearm. He was able to slice through my leather gauntlets and nick my skin.

Killian kept his attack, his radical movements becoming more and more synchronized and tactical. With every slash and step forward, I was able to dodge and take two steps back or duck under him and try to escape another direction.

When I tried to dodge under his arm, he anticipated my move and grabbed me by the back of the neck. With all his might Killian was able to slam me against a tree. My face pressed against the biting bark sent pain radiating down to my neck. It felt as if every place that touched the bark was run through fire.

"Killian I'm sorry." I meant it. I didn't want to kill my best friend, but for Eon. For the council. For those innocents who need protecting. I would rip my own heart and walk through hell to protect them. Kilian would not be able to stop me.

I felt his body shift behind me as he brought his arm around to place the blade at my neck. Before the blade was to my chest, I made my move. Ducking down and hooking my leg around his ankle. Tripping him, I twisted as he fell. Landing on top of him, and the blade now embedded in his heart.

The look of horror on his face sent chills down my body. Killian gasped, "Rhi-" but he was stopped with a gurgle of blood that was now entering his throat.

I scrambled off him in shock. I hadn't meant to kill him, only to disarm him and gain control over him.

Did you? You know you have to kill him.

I was right. I knew how this would end. With one of us dead.

I looked at his twitching body. Killian moved his head to face me.

Those eyes that I adored for so long were hallow. Opening a pit in my stomach that yearned to be closed by his laugh. But all I could do is kneel there as he died.

Died.

By my hand. Not that of an enemy. But a friend. A sister.

I betrayed him.