Category : Stories

Sub Category : Romance

Standing there with the air of a true leader she looked over the basin from her penthouse. Before me stood the only woman to ever earn my reverence without demanding it. “Your majesty, all preparations have been made.”

“I know Cye.  Thank you.” she replies quietly without breaking her distant stare.

“If I may ask your majesty?”

“It’s simple, it would be a surprise if you were not already prepared.”

That makes perfect sense.  I made it to my position because I am always ready for any situation, it is natural she would grow to expect it.  As I turn to leave and attend other duties when an uncharacteristically shaky voice calls my name.

“Cye?”

“Your majesty?”

“Do you believe that there can be more than one love in a person’s life?”

“No your majesty, but you already know my story.  Is there more to this?”

“Yes, I know your tragic story; but, for ones like us with such longevity, it seems like the greatest tragedy is that there is not another for us after we lose our loves.”

“If there’s another to love other then the ones we thought were our greatest loves then they were not our great loves like we thought.  For elves there is only one, but for a muse is it not true that your love is forever reborn?”

“Not if you betray them.”

This was the closest to a personal conversation we had ever had.  It was uncharacteristic of her to reveal so much to another. The upcoming events must be weighing heavy on her.

“I have a personal request for you Cye.  I trust you more than I have ever trusted my cursed.  You are allowed to say no and I swear I will not be upset with you.” She turns to face me directly, a hint of fear in her features.

“I owe you a life debt, your request is my command.” I do in fact owe her my life.  That was how she earned my reverence.

“No the conduct of your duties has protected me for centuries, your life debt has easily been repaid by now.  This request can not be filled under any debt. I will not allow you to take this task unless it is entirely of your own free will.”

“Than I accept.”

“You don’t even know the task.”

“I don’t need to.”

“You may change your mind.  If you take this task I will owe you a debt I can never repay.  My days are numbered.”

“I understand.”

“Protect my daughter Mel.  With your life if necessary.” A tear swells in her eye.

“If that is what you wish, then her protection is my solemn duty until my final breath.”

“You are a rare man Cye, thank you.”

I nod and bow as I take my leave.  I have never formally met Mel before, it would seem introductions are the next step.

- - - - - - -

“Is it just me or do these boys get better looking each year?” the bubbly girl observes as she walks with her friends down the dormitory hallway. A particularly cute boy receives a flirty wave and a smile.

“You notice this every year Ayako, and the answer is the same thing every year.” Comes the cynical reply.

“You know you want to say it, just say it.  I am not going to leave you alone until you do!”

“I’m turning over a new leaf this year. I refuse to allow myself to be distracted…” her attention fades as a shirtless young man wrapped only in a towel walks by. His still damp skin glistening in the fluorescent lighting.  The muscular physique is a spectacle to behold.

“Now that’s a leaf I want to turn over!” Ayako joyful pipes in.

“New leaf indeed.” The third girl adds while looking down her nose.

“Well, I, I, I’m not perfect Hikaru.” she stammers as she enters her dorm room.

“I think Kei needs to let loose more than I do.”

“If you were any more loose you would be spaghetti.”

“Says the uptight one.”

“I have my own fun.”

“Books are not fun.”

“Says you, just because I don’t enjoy boys like you two doesnt mean I can’t enjoy something else.”

“Wait a minute, are you into girls instead?”

“I am not discussing my sex life with you.” she says quietly looking around.“

”Oh my god, you are too.“

”I am not answering you.“

”There’s the proof. Denial seals the deal.“

”I AM NOT A LESBIAN.“ she shouts finally having enough of this ridiculous banter. A look around reminds her how many people are nearby and she blushes.  Grabbing her stunned friends hand abruptly she rushes to their room two doors down.

”I am not into girls okay, I just don’t see any point in having sex if not to make puppies.“

”Oh you won’t be making any pups where you’re going.“  A new voice from the shadows adds.

”A Hunter, run!“ the two girls turn to run.  As they move to the door another man steps in the way.

”No!“ the girls say in unison.

The first man takes a device from his pocket and turns it on.  The two girls suddenly change in appearance to have twin tails and pointed ears atop their heads.

”Kinda cute for dogs eh fella’s?“ the leader jokes.

”Foxes! We are not dogs, we are foxes, get your facts straight“ the Hikaru snarls at him.

”You are sick perversions of the human race, but for now you’re whatever I say you are.“

Ayako twitches her tails together while sneering with rage at the leader.  A look from the leader and the man in the door grabs both girls by the tails. Sparks fly in all directions before dying out.

”There will be no fireworks today.  Oh that looks like it hurts. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t believe in cruelty to animals.“ He grabs a club clipped at his waist and hits Ayako on the head with lightning speed.  

The girl falls to the floor limp, the Hikaru mere moments later.

”The report said there was three.“ One of the men add.

”Well two is all we got, lets go.“

- - - - - - -

The endless void was a cruel torture tool.  It was terribly dark beyond the small area lit up with the strange glow.  With nothing but the darkness I am left with only myself and the creeping despair.

I can’t even recall a time when I took the time to just listen to my thoughts; now that I am, they scare me.

I know in my heart I have to resist the despair here.  I just have to find something good to focus on.

I close my eyes and think about the events that led me here.  There might be something in them to help me escape. I try to steer my thoughts to something positive. I find myself immersed in the memory of a time with Eve.

Around me is a forge and tools of my trade.  In my hand a hammer, the other a long piece of steel I must be working on.

The shop is nice enough I suppose, a humble place to pursue my art.  Surrounded here by my works. Inspired projects brought about by Eve I am sure.  

There is something wrong in the air as I look around.  I cannot see my Eve, worse, there is a commotion outside.  Some sort of scuffle then a scream.

Before I can move the door shatters and splinters fly in all direction.  A soldier in unfamiliar dress storms inside and quickly heads to me.

I plead that I am but a simple blacksmith but am pushed aside while he searches for weapons.  I fear for something more than just my own life when the man stumbles on an uncovered edge of the cellar door.

The soldier slams the door open and I force myself to rush him.  A clear mismatch, I had no chance to win the fight. He runs his sword through me and leaves me to die on the floor.

Moments later I am forced to watch as Eve is dragged from the cellar and tossed on the floor.  She screams endlessly as I watch the man rape her.

I failed to protect her, had I failed more than once?