Scene Four: Renegade
...Of Act Three: Trickster
In the eyes of Ryoku Dragontalen, we are in
Gaevrel, in the world of Lysvid.
It is late afternoon
On November 7th, 2017.
Sira and Will were the first ones I saw. The bright color of Sira's fiery hair burnt my eyes. Will's kind eyes loomed closer, and I felt the back of his rough hand on my forehead.
"You waken," Will stated, and quickly withdrew his hand. "And are evidently feverous. How do you feel?"
Sira turned away when she saw my eyes. Loki's head popped into view, his golden hair in disarray like the werewolves electrocuted him. "Check his pulse," he told Will as though I weren't there. "And his hands. I'll…"
He stuck a finger in my mouth, curling up my lip. I tried to pull away, but I suddenly felt the state of my body. I felt wholly numb save for a fiery feeling behind my face. My fingers twitched, but I couldn't muster the strength for a fist.
"No fangs," he confirmed, as though that were some great surprise.
A different voice I didn't recognize cut in. "Lycanthropy won't just pop up in a matter of hours." It belonged to a young male, I thought. A deep, thoughtful voice. "Surely you know that."
"You never know," Loki replied. "Better to be safe than sorry." He paused, and then gestured to Will. "Jeffrey?"
The fake names. Will's always made me laugh. Not this time. "His pulse is regular," Will said. I only then felt his hand on my wrist. "No claws, if that is what you expected."
"Lycanthropy?" I asked, in the first opening I could seize.
"A mere precaution." Loki waved me off.
I didn't like the sound of that. As I listened to their voices, the events started coming back to me. The wolf that struck a grievous blow on my chest. The quick attempt at healing Lusari had made. What had happened after? I only remembered rushing after the others.
Will stuck a cool, damp cloth under my head when I tried to move, which helped me get a better view of the room. It was a run-down sort of shack made of mostly greying old wood, dried mud shoved between the cracks to connect it all. Will and Loki remained close, but Sira kept a few paces back, her face turned away from me. Lusari lay against the wall, her eyes closed and a cloak thrown over her. Next to her was a stranger, a tall vampire with black hair and gleaming red eyes who dressed in somewhat refined clothing. He only offered me a small smile when I saw him.
"What happened?" I asked, fixating Loki with a bleary glare.
My voice came out weaker than I felt. I tried to lift my head, but a stab of pain cut my vision short. A heavy feeling started to well up in my chest, and I felt short of breath. Being so vulnerable reminded me only too well of a day earlier this year where I landed in the hospital. It took weeks to recover. I couldn't let the same thing happen again.
"We won the battle!" Loki declared triumphantly, pumping a fist in the air. "A wolf tackled you as we entered the village, and you struck your head on a stone. Luckily, we caught on right away and fought our way into the village, where we fortified this shack to protect your prone body!"
"Your wounds reopened in the process of carting you here," Will told me apologetically. "We have done what we could, but you are not yet in peak condition. A... little far from it, I'm afraid."
Slain wolves filled the doorway to sell their point. A mass of greys and browns, all splashed with pungent red blood. The stack of bodies was high enough that we'd have trouble leaving that way without moving them. Slash and claw marks pockmarked the doorframe. Ice clung to parts of it, too, evidently from Lusari's potent ice.
Even at the macabre sight, I managed a small smile. My friends were strong, that was certain. I could have never helped them fortify such a beaten shack.
"Cleria led the other vampires off to the square," Will added, as though plucking the question from my mind before it surfaced. "She did not like how they were acting near you." When he saw my puzzled glance, he added, "Blood."
Right, of course. Vampires wouldn't have made for the best company with an open bag of food in front of them. Still, I caught the glance of the sole remaining vampire, the tall one in a long brown coat. He kept his left arm out of its sleeve, drawn against his chest and hidden from view. Despite the bloody color of his eyes, there was a gentle calm to them, like the sweet red of apples.
When he saw my glance, the tall vampire nodded curtly. He had a young voice for the seriousness of his face. "Rex Dougo," he introduced himself a little awkwardly, a reluctant smile on his face. "I've been around."
I tried to stick out my hand, but the motion only shot pain through my chest. I gave the tall boy a small, friendly smile instead. "Ronyx Curtis," I introduced myself. Again, were it not for Loki, I'd have forgotten to give my fake name. As friendly as Rex's eyes looked, I couldn't base trust off my instinct just yet. It had failed me before.
"Rex showed up among the hunters in another group," Will told me. "He is the only one who could remain around the blood. He offered to help us get you to an old healer near the town of Xactyr. Cleria vouched for them."
I saw the lack of trust in Loki's eyes. I couldn't imagine why. If Cleria and Rex both thought some healer would help us, then I didn't see why we should doubt them. Cleria had been good to us so far.
It didn't take long for everyone to be on their feet. Sira and Rex cleared a path through the piles of wolves. Will gently coaxed Lusari to stand. I could tell she used a lot of magic. Her footsteps were sluggish and almost seemed drunk.
Loki packed up my belongings next to me. He flashed something to me - my knife, the one that I misplaced in the gut of a wolf. "We looted this off the wolves outside the village," he told me with a playful smirk. "Better you lose your knife than your head, but you should learn to hold a grip on your weapon. Remind me - I'll show you a trick when you're better."
I hoped I would remember. At present, my chest felt so tight that I wondered if I wouldn't just die during the trip. My comrades seemed worried, too - not that that was entirely unusual from them.
When everyone was ready, Will helped me onto Sira's back. I felt small and frail, carted around like expensive goods, and it only reminded me further of my hospital time. I'd only known this girl for a precious few days, and she liked saving my ass as much as she liked insulting me. What was I to make of her?
Outside the hut, the werewolf village was in shambles. Most of the other shacks burnt down or still blazed. Every semblance of the others was marred, thick with blood, assuaged with weapons, or else vandalized by the vampires. Werewolf bodies took up the majority of the marshy ground, given an ethereal appearance by the glint of flames and the pale shine of the moon. Blood shone on every spot of ground like rust. Where there wasn't either, the odd vampire body stuck out like a stone amid the dark, earthy colors of the area.
I felt more empathy for the wolves than ever before, and I hoped my allies wouldn't drag me into another brawl with them now. Who were we to dictate their fate because of the world they lived in? In another world, I could have befriended these wolves, who were still people even as the moonlight hid their faces.
Vampire hunting parties scattered around the remains of the village – some putting out fires, looting bodies and homes, or else just standing and conversing amongst themselves. A few groups turned toward us when we surfaced from the ruined cottage, but I didn't see Cleria among them. Some of the vampires who'd fought alongside us remained, though, and they didn't spare us any kind looks.
Our group didn't break pace, and we departed to the edge of the village where a collapsed stockade acted as a gate out to the path through the Black Woods. A group of vampires lurked there, whispering amongst themselves and sparing cold glances our way. I didn't sense any kindness from the folk we'd fought alongside. More than ever, I wondered if we were on the right side.
Nearby, one of the tall male vamps called Loki over. The Trickster hesitated – he, too, didn't seem too fond of the company we were with, or else he just wanted to hurry to our destination. "Go on," Will told him urgently. "See if we cannot glean some last helpfulness from them."
Loki only nodded, sparing me a parting glance before jogging over to the vampire. The rest of us continued to the gate, where the pack of shady vampires watched our approach with unreadable eyes.
It took me a moment to realize the prime source of their distaste – it appeared to be Rex. One of the males drew back his lips and hissed at Rex, who didn't meet his gaze. Was it judgemental of me to think those of the same race should get along? Humans certainly didn't all like one another, but I wondered why they were all giving Rex such hateful looks. Had he done something against his own kind? Cleria didn't seem to be here to keep her hunters in line, either.
One of the bigger males appeared before our company in the blink of an eye, making me jump. Their movements were eerily fast and hard to detect, especially in hostility. Rex was at the head of our group, but Will surreptitiously stepped up next to him, a tight grip on his lance.
"You're in strange terrain, Dougo," the vampire growled, crossing his arms. The way he stood, he clearly didn't want Rex to leave. "What are you doing here? Your kind is all dead."
I saw Will and Sira exchange curious glances. Rex couldn't be a werewolf, could he? They should always remain in their wolf form during the moon.
"Only passing through, Azrael," Rex replied, a little meekly. My stomach lurched. Was he going to let the vampires talk to him like that? Suddenly, I had very little doubt about the matter – we'd arrived on the wrong side, and I didn't want much to do with being a werewolf hunter anymore.
The vampire shoved him. Sira winced as my fingers dug into her skin, and I quickly released my grip when I noticed. Rex was unperturbed, really. He stood still, his feet dug into the mud a little. The hunch in his shoulders and the look on the other vampire's face was making my blood start to boil.
In another instant, the vampire grabbed Rex by the coat, lifting him a few inches from the ground. I felt Sira stiffen in anger. None of the vampires made to move. Will's hand was on his lance, ready to draw at a moment's notice. I saw Loki with the group of vampires, but he'd noticed what was happening and started jabbing his finger toward us, shouting words I couldn't hear at the vampires.
"You aren't supposed to be here," the vampire said coldly, each word enunciated like the tip of a dagger. "Among humans, too? Werewolf hunters, no less. Do they know who you are?"
"Do not label us as hunters," Will spoke. His voice sounded hard and cold, and eerily reminded me of his tone when he spoke to Lancet, his field commander. "We are travelers, passing through, and Rex is with us. Pardon me, but did you lift a finger to help us when our friend fell?"
The vampire hissed at Will, refusing to back down. "You are an outsider. We have no obligation to you and your people. You may have helped us, human, but tell me: would you have if not for the gold?"
By now, I had slid off Sira's back without a word. Sira was too angry to notice, and nobody gave me a second look as I approached. The injuries upon my body didn't seem to hinder me – no, even better, it was as though I was in better shape than ever.
Images ran through my head so vividly that I was losing track of the real scenario: the glint of a knife, the crack of fist against bone, grunts of pain, and a white-hot flash through my eye. It peaked with the smug voice of a boy I used to know.
Everything turned red.
(Meanwhile, in the eyes of Sira Jessura...)
I didn't notice Ryoku slide off my back. He was so light; it was like carrying a little backpack in addition to my own. However, I caught sight of him all too quickly – he appeared beside Will and the vampire. Even the flickering flames of torchlight didn't seem to throw any light on him.
A loud crack shot through the village. Any heads that didn't already see the confrontation turned. I saw it happen, but it seemed like a broken image. Entire scenes of the moment seemed to vanish. Ryoku stood where the vampire was, who was staggering back, clutching his shoulder with his fangs fully drawn. Ryoku's bare fist hung in the air. It stayed for a moment before falling back to his side.
"I hate people like you."
The statement was so calm, yet so livid. The voice came from Ryoku, but it bore the patience of a god who was only slightly irritated with his people. His hand seemed to vanish into the darkness altogether.
Nothing happened for a moment. The vampire must've been shocked. How had Ryoku even done damage barehanded? He was still as a statue. Will hung close, ready to intervene when the vampire struck.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" the vampire demanded. His words were slow, angry. "Striking a vampire in war territory? Bah. You humans aren't safe with the label of hunters, I assure you."
The rest of his squad stood at the ready. The females had their claws out, the males with taut fists at the ready. Rex stepped up next to Ryoku and Will. Lusari stood behind Will, though I doubted she could muster up a spell in her current state.
Among it all stood Ryoku. Despite the grievous injuries he bore, he stood with the regality of a king. Blood dripped from the bandages around his waist and head, but he didn't regard it. I couldn't see his eyes from where I was.
I'd had about enough of these vampires, and strolled forward, hand on Sinistra. As I moved, Ryoku's head lifted.
"I am –"
His voice cut off abruptly. Without warning, his kingly posture fell apart like a glass window. He crumpled to the ground. Whatever ferocity took him, it seemed spent in his current condition.
In a flash, Rex slid out before Ryoku. Will and I went to our Defender – he was out cold already, and blood soaked well through his bandages.
"You will not lay a hand upon my company!" Loki's voice cut through the village like thunder. I had never heard him yell before, especially with such power. It made me recall that he was a god. A fairly important one.
As he charged into our midst, I swore I saw currents of electricity running through his golden hair. For a moment, I thought he might strike down every vampire before us. Even the angry vampire in the coat relented before Loki, dropping his gaze and adopting a hunch in his shoulders.
He stood before us, chest heaving, eyes locked on the circle of vampires. It took a long moment for him to speak through his thunderous rage. When he did, it sounded like a full current charged his words.
"We'll take our leave. Next time you think to hire humans as hunters, think again. As long as we remain in Lysvid, you will keep your distance unless you wish to take trial by fire."
He snapped his fingers, and a ball of flame shot from his fingertips to land amid the circle of vampires. I'd forgotten mythology considered Loki a god of fire, among other things. They were outmatched, and they knew it. All recoiled at the sight of the flames. Will quickly helped Ryoku onto my back once more, and we rushed to catch up with an enraged Loki as he stormed past the gate into the woods.
Near the gate, a vampire ambiguously sniggered behind us. A bolt of lightning escaped from Loki and slammed into the ground at the vampires' feet. Hair on end, they fled, retreating into the village and allowing us to leave without another word. We followed Loki in silence, a little more aware of his presence now than before. I had to admit, I was glad he was on our side.
(Meanwhile, in the eyes of Ryoku Dragontalen...)
I woke up in the thick of the dark woods. The steady rise and fall of Sira's stroll was the only thing I felt beneath me. Brush and branches crackled beneath the feet of my comrades in a silent trudge. I could hear noises out around us - the odd hoot of an owl, unfamiliar chirping, and, in the distance, howling.
My head throbbed, so I kept my head against Sira's shoulder while we moved. I could occasionally catch the golden glint of Loki's hair ahead of us, or the odd time a streak of moonlight caught the barb of Will's lance on his back. By the timid crunching of leaves alongside me, I wagered that Lusari was on her feet as well. I drew comfort knowing they were near.
Little conversation occurred. I could hear Loki and Rex whispering to each other, but I couldn't make out their words. Will and Lusari eventually fell in beside one another and spoke quietly, too. Sira walked alone with me. Will was generally the only one other than me who conversed with the tall warrior. Did she intimidate the others? I wondered if she was ever lonely. She'd been nothing but sweet to me since we met. In her own way, of course.
I faded in and out of consciousness as we walked. The dark woods never seemed to cease, and my comrades never picked up a full conversation. The forest felt cold, but I had no way to keep myself warm other than to stay as close to Sira as possible. Nobody lit a torch as we walked. Maybe it was to keep ourselves concealed should some threat arise. If we still walked in the Black Woods, Cleria told us they were common stomping ground for the werewolves. In that event, sympathy to their plight wouldn't be enough to help us.
At some point, I finally fell into a solid slumber against Sira's back.
(Meanwhile, in the eyes of Sira Jessura...)
"He's out again," I announced dully, keeping my voice low. I could feel Ryoku's chest lift and rise steadily against my back. His bandages had soaked through again. The second time since we left Gaevrel. I kept my steps as light as possible, but it never seemed to be enough. His injuries were too severe.
"Good," Loki remarked icily. The anger he'd displayed in Gaevrel hadn't settled. It probably wouldn't until Ryoku was safe. As Rex walked ahead with Lusari, Loki fell back to speak with Will and I. "These... occurrences of his. They seem to take a lot out of him."
I nodded shortly, careful not to disturb Ryoku. "A demon. But even he can't control Ryoku when he can barely stand."
"He managed to for a wink," Will added. "It was enough."
Loki rose a brow at us. The way the moonlight caught his emerald eyes seemed to give his gaze a tricky shine. Were he not such an impetuous, lordly brat, he might be attractive. "You two are familiar with this. Once in the capital with the Warg, and again back in Gaevrel. He's displayed this before?"
Will and I exchanged brief glances. In the end, only because Ryoku seemed to trust Loki, we explained the scenarios we both saw. The time Ryoku summoned fire after I lost my shield, driving away the Keeper of the Old Forest for the first time. Then, of course, in the raider camp. Sometimes the entity seemed to step in alongside Ryoku, helping him act stronger than he was. Ryoku, however, never seemed to notice.
"Hmm," Loki said when we finished. "And you think it's a demon?"
"It has to be," I replied. Will didn`t argue, either. As soldiers, we`d likely both seen our fair share of demons. Seeing them in human habitation, however, was a little different. It wasn`t unheard of in a place like Orden. Highly rare, though. Syaoto would have to be familiar with such things.
"What does it matter to you?" Will asked. Clearly, he was still a little apprehensive of the Trickster. I couldn't blame him. Why had he come to save Ryoku when Jesanht attacked? How had he known?
Loki stared ahead into the darkness for a long moment. "Well, maybe this demon will introduce himself before long. It seems he needs Ryoku alive in order to be here, so we share mutual interests."
I wanted to argue, but he had a point. The darkness only stepped in to protect Ryoku. Why was it there?
Our conversation broke apart when Rex turned to us.
"Xactyr is just beyond those hills," he told us, gesturing with his good arm. Ahead of him was the crest of a hill, and the dark, twisted trees of this forest broke off below. I could see some dim torchlight ahead – the city of Xactyr. "Our destination lies beyond the city, not far past the east exit and into the woods. Cutting through the city would be faster, but..."
Loki's back straightened. "No buts. We must take the fastest route, or we risk his life. Come, everyone! Let us travel with due haste."
It didn't take long for us to descend the hill. Even taking care not to jostle Ryoku on my back, it scarcely took a quarter of an hour before we stepped onto the pavement of Xactyr.
It was a different sort of city from the capital, surely. Caravans and wagons flocked the busier parts of the street, stemming from a road that skirted around the forest we came from, while the sidewalks looked more trafficked by foot. The buildings seemed richer and more elaborate. If I had to guess, I'd say Xactyr was some sort of trade or merchant city. From our viewpoint, the slums hid behind the elaborate buildings, as was common with trade cities. They kept their ilk to the alleys and beneath the big buildings, like nobles hid their chamber pots as though they could hide their disgusting human habits. Vampires clearly took to the more vain side of humanity.
As soon as we started into the city, we fell into the thick traffic of vampires on the sidewalk. It was annoying and tedious. There didn't seem to be a polite way to pass, so we walked along the fastest routes we could. I noticed Rex getting the same sort of dirty looks as before. The way he held himself as he walked, it was like he pretended to be walking alone, immune to the judgmental looks of the populace. I could relate.
Will strolled up next to Rex, flashing his lance when a vampire seemed ready to step in Rex's path. "Thanks," Rex murmured, not meeting Will's gaze.
"What is it that makes them spit in your wake, friend?" Will asked gently. "The ones at Gaevrel said something about the wolves, but you look like a vampire to me."
Rex still didn't meet Will's gaze. When he didn't reply, Will went on. "You have been naught but an excellent guide to us, and a friend. You helped us protect our friend, and were the only one not to curl your fangs at the sight of his injuries. You helped us change his bandages without bloody lust in your eyes. You have brought us this far – I plead you; share your plight with us. I dare say you have naught but a set of ready ears from us, and sound, sympathetic minds."
It took Rex a long time to respond. When he did, deeper into the noble city of Xactyr, we hardly heard him. "I am a half-breed."
Will looked at him, studying him. "A half-breed? Of... vampire and werewolf?"
It made sense, in a way. Rex had all the appearance of a vampire, but the usual look of bloodlust didn't seem to take him like it did the others. He retained a human form and just as much strength as the other vampires. With the constant racial war in Lysvid, it made sense why people regarded Rex like filth. To them, his werewolf features stood out on his face like ink.
"Surely you must judge me now as well." Rex was quiet, but his open hand balled into a fist. "I have been cursed with this half-form as a result of my deeds in life. I am a spirit assigned this curse, not born of it. In Lysvid, however, it wouldn't make a difference. They hate werewolves. Their toxins don't match up, and each can kill the other. Even the Ritual labels me as a heathen, a being who shouldn't exist."
"That's insanity," Loki muttered spitefully. "Werewolves and vampires. Let it be recalled that vampires were born of the darkest blood magic – the result of elves tainted by corruption. Werewolves, as legend says, were created to destroy them. That was thousands of years ago, and the races are no different than elves and dwarves, of half-demons and the Aroz. This world's petty rivalries are archaic."
"Mixed breeds are not that alien, even in Sy-- uh, Bonnin," Will said, suddenly sounding ridiculous. We were getting comfortable around Rex, forgetting the need for aliases. He cleared his throat. "Uh, my cousins in Syaoto have told me stories. They are host to many demi-human races. And, well, Ronyx is a demi-elf, of course. Such things are not unheard of. Love is not a thing that merely exists between a human and a human, or an elf and an elf. In a world where werewolves are not confined to their animal form, it is not unthinkable."
"Lysvid is rigid in its ways," Rex said. "A half-breed shouldn't exist here."
"But you do," Loki told him. "And that is a boon to us. Some folk aren't meant to please everyone they meet. They might even rile up crowds with just their appearance. But," he went on, waggling a finger like he was speaking to a child, "those people tend to be less valuable to the populace, and more so to a select few. Phenomenally, in fact."
His words served to stun us all. I didn't think the Trickster was able to be nice to anyone but Ryoku. Rex managed a weak smile toward the Trickster.
"His words apply to us all," Will told him boldly. "That, and our unconscious friend is the most accepting person I know. If he thought twice about you for your blood, then it would make no sense to travel with any of us."
"Especially Loki," I muttered with a sly grin. The Trickster didn't miss that, and spared a fiery glare toward me. I only grinned.
Rex's smile said it all. Beyond the frightening red shade of his eyes that was normal for vampires, there was a certain kindness. During the initial conflict at Gaevrel, I swore I'd seen Rex hesitate, as though trying to pick a side. He claimed to be from one of the other groups, but I had my doubts. He seemed like he arrived during the conflict somehow. Maybe he'd been a part of Gaevrel after all. When Ryoku fell, and all of us surrounded him to protect him, Rex hesitated no longer and rushed to our aid. In the diplomacy of a war between races, friendship was easier to understand.
Ryoku stirred on my shoulders. Surprised, I smiled. When he was awake, Loki said, he must have been feeling better. I flinched when he coughed, and his body shook on my back. I didn't even realize what the problem was until Loki and Will both reeled around, drawing their weapons in a flash.
Here, in a vampire-infested city, we carried a bleeding elf.
I cursed myself a thousand times for not considering the idea. His wounds opened again, and I could already feel his blood soaking through my shirt. Normally that would upset me enough, but this was different. He was in danger.
Vampires appeared on all sides of us. No matter how dressed-up they were, vampires were monsters. Like sharks, they turned on us at the smell of Ryoku's blood.
When I hesitated between my sword and Ryoku, Rex stepped out in front of me. "Take him to the castle!" he said urgently. "Just outside the eastern exit! I'll hold them off!"
I hesitated. Many of the vampires around us donned the blacks of the Ritual cult. We weren't safe here. Could I even outrun them?
"You can't hold them off alone," Loki insisted, stepping forward as well. "There's too many of them!"
"Forget that," Lusari murmured – the first time she'd spoken in some time from her fatigue, and now she sounded scared. "We're surrounded. We'll never make it out of here without a fight – all of us."
Will had an idea. He appeared between Rex and I. Before I knew it, Will carried Ryoku off my back and pushed him toward Rex. The Defender lost consciousness once more, and Will handled him easily.
"You have to take him! You are the fastest of us! Cut through the crowd and get him to the castle. We will open a path!"
As much as I didn't want to let Ryoku out of my sight, it seemed like the only option. Maybe only Loki could get out of here in one piece, but losing the Trickster might spell our demises in this fight. The rest of us wouldn't make it off the sidewalk.
Cursing under my breath, I drew Sinistra with a violent ring that cut through all sound in the city. Feeling the huge blade in my hands filled me with vigor once more, and I knew I was making the only viable choice.
"Go, Rex!" I snapped. "Do as he says! I swear to the Creator, if you let any harm come upon him..."
The vampires were closing in. With no choice left, Will and I lashed out at the vampires with steel. Loki was quick to step up, both with his blade and bursts of fire that sparked up from his angry hands. Even Lusari, still worn from her efforts at healing Ryoku, summoned bursts of icy energy to match her fully charged staff. When there was a split second, the slightest window of opportunity, Rex darted between the oncoming vampires. I watched him go like it was in slow motion, Ryoku's golden-haired head bobbing against the shoulder of his coat – and then they were gone.