Feint

“Nadia!” Kei screams out in a panic, prompting Katia to rush over. She finds Nadia writhing in pain, her face deeply flushed and feverish to the touch. Things have just gone from bad to worse.

“Oh dear, she’s experiencing another one of her fits. I need to get her into bed right away.” Katia lifts the girl effortlessly in her arms and carefully places her in bed. Pulling the covers over her, she says, “I’ll be back in a moment. I just need to get a cool cloth and medication. Please, whatever you do, don’t leave this room. Our lives depend on it.”

She leaves Kei with that warning and soon she’s alone with Nadia, who seems to fall more ill by the second. Her skin is pale and clammy, her breathing is labored, and she groans miserably, but doesn’t appear to be conscious. Kei stares on blankly, as though it’s got nothing to do with her.

“Is this the fate of a cursed vampire?” She says this out loud, seemingly to no one in a mild tone. She sits in the chair beside the bed and watches, her eyes suddenly intense. “It would be so easy to do it now, wouldn’t it? She’s totally defenseless and couldn’t fight back even if she wanted.”

“Not yet. You’d kill the girl, but the evil would not expire. It’d simply find another host. We must be patient. We stick to the plan. Make her trust you above all others. We have time. I’ve always...had time.” A second voice speaks out loud but is remarkably different from Keiko’s.

“Well, if we want to earn their trust, then we’ll need to show them a miracle.” Kei touches Nadia’s forehead just as Katia returns to the room with a basin and cloth filled with cold water.

“What are you doing?! Please don’t touch her! You could aggravate her condition and-.” Katia is speechless, abruptly ceasing her scolding. The previously suffering Nadia stares at her with a confused expression, having just awoken from her daze. “Nadia? How do you feel, dear?”

“I feel better.” She sits up in the bed. “I don’t know what happened exactly, but Kei touched me, and suddenly all the pain vanished. I feel really light too, like the evil is deeper than ever before. Katia, I think Kei may have divine powers, after all! Is that really possible? Was I right?!”

Katia looks at the blonde girl in awe, and finally says, “It’s time to speak to Minister Lowell. I will summon him at once. You two stay here until we return.” Katia quickly leaves them alone.

“How did you do that, Kei?” Nadia asks excitedly, returning to high spirits once again.

“I don’t know. Honestly, I just had a feeling. I’ve always been able to ease the suffering of the sick with my touch, so I figured it’d work on you too. I’m sorry I can’t do more for you.”

“Well, you’re awesome! Usually, I’d be bedridden for days or even weeks when I’m afflicted with a fit. This happens when the evil inside me tries to take control. If she can weaken me enough, she’ll be able to overtake me and use my body as she pleases. If it weren’t for my sheer will, she’d have taken me already. So, you’ve done more than enough already. Thank you!”

“I’m happy to help. That sounds really difficult to deal with. I can’t imagine how tough that kind of situation would be, even if I can relate in other ways. You must be very strong, Nadia.”

“Nah, I don’t think I am. I’m just stubborn. I enjoy spiting those who wrong me. I figure, if she wants me, she’s going to have to fight for me. Though I will admit, it’s become difficult. I’m tired of this game. I want to be done with it, so that’s why I was ready to end it for good. If I burned up in the sun, she’d have nobody’s soul to take. I don’t know if it’d have destroyed her too, but at least it’d no longer be my problem. Is that selfish of me? Is it wrong that I’m willing to damn the vampires if it means my soul will be free? Or should I become a willing sacrifice?”

“I don’t know if I can answer that in the right way, but I think I understand how you feel. Having these powers has been difficult, because when people find out what I can do, they want me to do so much to help them. Someone told me I was lucky to be blessed with these powers and so it’s my duty to use them to help others. Does that mean I should suffer in place of them? I don’t know, but sometimes I want to disappear too. Not living would be easier than feeling that all you’re needed for is to save others’ souls. I wish I could just be a normal girl; you know?”

Nadia stares at the girl with mild affection, feeling as though she spoke her secret feelings out loud. “I’m so glad you and I are friends, Keiko. Let’s stay together forever, okay? Can we?”

The sudden use of her full name catches Kei off guard. It’s been years since anyone but Kei has, and the way Nadia said it felt so genuine and affectionate. For the first time, Kei looks at Nadia not as a target, but as a person who is seeing her as she is too. Suddenly, Kei’s heart feels heavy, and she questions everything. Could she be the one to free her from this fate? Could she be liked simply for who she is? Kei dares to think about it, but something quickly invades her thoughts.

Don’t let her get in your head. You mustn’t waiver Keiko. We have a duty, and we cannot rest until it’s complete. I’ve waited thousands of years for the chance to vanquish this evil deity, and for the first time she’s taken a vessel that is within my grasp. Do not allow yourself to become attached to a foolish notion such as friendship. A human cannot be friends with its natural predator, and a divine goddess cannot befriend an unholy demoness. We must proceed cautiously, but do not allow yourself to become complacent. You will regret it, I assure you.

“Kei?” Nadia calls to her when she doesn’t respond. “Are you…okay? You seem sad.”

Silencing the unwelcome chatter in her mind, she smiles at Nadia before replying, “Sorry, I got lost in thought. It’d be my honor to be your friend, Nadia. Thank you for not turning me in. I promise I’ll do all I can to help you and save you if I can. As long as you’ll welcome me, I’ll stay by your side. I’ve never had a real friend before either. So, I hope we can stay together, always.”

“Okay then, that’s what we’ll do. Let’s stay together for as long as we can still be truly us.”

The girls share a promise forged by youth and innocence, but neither could realize the weight of such a promise. However, deep inside them, at the core of their souls, two separate beings curse this promise. While their motivations vary, their words resonate equally in the back of the girls’ minds. In unison, their other selves caution them, though neither girl pays them any mind.

Foolish girl. Your promise is nothing more than a harbinger that will bring you pain and suffering. In the end, it will be your undoing. Go on, live in this fantasy and dream for a while. The day shall come where you’ll have to make a choice and I’ll be waiting. You cannot escape your fate, for your destiny is already foretold. Don’t forget. I have time. I’ve always...had time....

~~~Prologue End