Rift II

He lives so far away. Far away from the village of Ganase. His house is located outside Ganase, same as mine, but I couldn't have guessed it was this deep in the forest. A house this far away must be under constant threat.

       Kano and Anemone were making their way home to Kano's home. It was located quite far from the village of Ganase. It was deep in Redstar Forest. The village of Ganase's knights force guaranteed security for the village and nearby areas, particularly,  the areas which were around the village and used for agricultural purposes. But a house that far, received no protection from them.

      Yesterday;

As she and he were jogging through Redstar Forest, he asked her something. 

"Hey Anemone,  would you mind coming to my place tomorrow ," he asked, "It's just that….before we leave, I would like my sister to know who I am going with."

       They took a hard right, connecting to the road that was heading to the farms. It was a path that was made to not only make traveling to the farm region easier but also make the  transportation of produce to Ganase much easier by wagon.

       "Sure, I am all for it. That just means we will be able to start off soon."

"Okay then."

        Currently; 

"Don't worry, we are getting really close," he said as he took the hood that was covering his head off.

     "Kano, yesterday_ you said something about introducing me to your sister so that she knows who are going with. Does that mean your parents have already consented?"

     The black shade of his iris darkened as he muttered,  "parents," briefly he paused before continuing, "Yeah, yeah…they did. His heartbeat accelerated as his voice rose. He was trying to play it down by chuckling.

     Anemone,  who was staring at him, could make neither heads nor tails of his rather perplexing demeanor.  Why did such a question startle him?

     As soon as the house was within eye shot, she felt a sudden jolt. A feeling as though someone just touched her head. The presence felt cold enough to give her chills. Her heart racing and her skin running with sweat.

     Her bracelets began releasing a green aura as she stopped and looked behind her. 

"What's wrong?" He asked as he too stopped walking. 

"Did you feel that?" She asked, responding to his question with yet another question. 

"No ... .is something getting close?"

        She smiled as she said, "Of course not…. I wanted to get a reaction from you since you are so relaxed. You have been that way since we started walking so I thought this would be a nice change of pace."

     "You know you didn't have to go that far.. you just had to try telling me one of those bad jokes. You know like that thieving man one. That was really bad."

    "No…that one was ironic." She said before looking back once more.  She could feel her heart racing. She took deep breaths to relax.

     I can understand why he didn't sense that. It was really subtle. Besides, we both aren't in magic release so our sensory capabilities aren't fully active. I am pretty sure I only noticed it because my sensory edge is alot greater than his. Still, an eerie calm….like still water.

     The aura around her bracelets then dissipated as she continued walking. Finally,  they made it to the house.  It was a two story building,  made of concrete walls, and clad in white.

     On the door was a marking of an eagle set in flames. It was at the very center of the door.

     Anemone stared at it as she thought, An eagle in flight; set ablaze by crimson flame. Its azure eyes light up the sky. 'Conflagraflaria and its geography issue I' I think.

    The eagle's design is the same one as our kingdom's symbol. Except,  that one is chained up.

     Kano opened the door as he asked her to come in. Following his directive, she went in and took off her shoes. She felt uneasy because of the jolt she felt earlier but was trying to calm down now. Maybe she just imagined it.

     He asked her to take a seat by the table and she obliged. She went ahead and took a seat. She sat bored at the table before she felt another jolt. This one, stronger than the last, and much more distinct too. Her heart began racing as she looked behind her.

    How is it possible for someone with spiritual vibrations of the fire class, to have such calm vibrations?  As calm as still water. She saw Calida, who was staring at her.

     Her eyes glowed, making their crimson color that more distinct. A bright red malicious glow. "What's wrong?" Anemone asked as she returned the glare.

    "I was just looking at how beautiful you are," she replied before the glow in her eyes diminished. 

"You think so….thanks," the former replied as she took a deep breath, "You are….really beautiful yourself. "

      Though the jolt she felt wasn't as distinct anymore, she couldn't help but wonder why she felt uneasy. There had to be something unnatural about those calm vibrations.

"Come now_ you are exaggerating, " Calida replied, "Sorry, I have to get back to cooking now. I will talk to you later." She then proceeded to walk away.

     Anemone let out a sigh as she could finally relax. An eerie calm. 

The time was around half past noon. From the look of things,  she was invited to have lunch with them. Though hesitant at first, she accepted their generous offer. 

    After having enjoyed a great meal, they remained seated to relax.

"Calida,  I wanted to tell you sooner but," he said halting, "She and I are going on a hunting trip for roughly two months. "

     "Two months," she muttered in response.  She smiled as she said, "Where exactly will you two be going? "

"I can't tell you that, " he added.

"Oh."

"So, can I go?"

     Hesitantly, she replied, "Yeah, don't worry…I will be fine." She got up as she said, "I have to go and do the dishes now." Anemone was looking on as Calida walked away. "We should get going,  the day is still young," he said.

     They both left and headed for Redstar Forest. As they were walking,  she asked him, "Are you sure we shouldn't have said where we were going. "

"I am_ it's better she didn't know."

      Later that day, he returned home rather late on account of a delivery to Fortune's Vitus. It was around 8.30PM.  He opened the door. Beyond it; there was no one. He wasn't graced by the familiar yet unusual scene of Calida holding a scourge. He took off his shoes as he went to the table. He found a note attached to his plate.

     'Here's your food,' it read. He uncovered the food only to notice that it was cold to the touch.  She must have prepared it a long time ago. As soon as he finished eating,  he thought,  she obviously isn't asleep right now but I am sure she won't answer even if I call her. 

    Still, I wonder what I should do for her before I go. Oh, that's right. How could I forget? I will earn enough to leave her with. Sorry Anemone,  I have to do this before we go. 

      For the next four days, Kano continued with his usual routine.  Though this time, he worked much harder. He tried to deliver more animals to Fortune's Vitus before spending the rest of the day training with Anemone. 

     When he returned home, there was still no change. He would always find Calida retired to her room. She still didn't say much even when he tried talking to her. Her behavior made him question whether or not he was making the right choice. 

     The following day, when he returned home,  he found her attaching the note to his plate. As soon as she saw him, she removed it before saying, "Here's your food." She then started heading to her room.

     "Calida,  wait…..At the very least look at me when you talk." he said as he began taking off his shoes. The necklace he was wearing dangled from his neck as it came out of the hoodie he tacked it in.

    She turned to look at him and repeated the same words. While looking at him,  she noticed the golden necklace.  The half star swung as he stood up. She smiled softly before saying,  "I am tired. I have gone to sleep. Just make sure to enjoy your meal."

    The following day, Kano returned home. As soon as he opened the door,  he heard a voice say to him. "Why are you home so late,  Asim?" As soon as he heard that, a wave of relief set him adrift.

     "So, you are okay with me going, " he asked. 

"I am…I guess I am okay with it now," she replied. 

As he was about to take a step forward,  he was told, "You came late."

      He sighed as he realized what was supposed to come next. Much like so many times before, he had to offer a gift now. A bribe if you would.

    "You know, it felt weird not seeing you when I opened the door but right now….I feel stupid for missing this."

"So no food, right?" She added. 

    "That's not fair and you know it. At Least pardon me just for today? Wait, why am I even asking?"

    She sighed as she replied,  "Fine,  afterall…. You leave tomorrow. "

    The following morning,  Anemone went to Kano's place where they were supposed to depart from as it was closest to the route they planned on using.  As they were located southwest of Varaline Southalis which was far south of Varaline Centralis,  they planned on heading north and reaching Varaline Centralis through the western entrance in the town of Wake. Wake was located west of Varaline Centralis and was one of the four towns which formed the entrances of Varaline Centralis. Each town represented a particular direction,  North, West, East and West.

      Before they departed, Calida had something she wished to say to him. "Wherever you are going, don't go causing problems for someone else. It's a pain to deal with."

     "Do you have to be so indirect…..we both obviously know who you are talking about ."

      "Still,  I can't emphasize that enough.  I think she is a really good person, cautious too, just make sure to have fun ."

"Okay, " he said, "You know that you are making it sound like it really is going to be fun."

     She walked towards Anemone before she said, "I guess that I will be seeing the both of you later. I am just hoping the days will go by quickly. As soon as they said their farewells, Kano and Anemone started off. After walking for a while, Anemone felt another jolt. This time, it was like she was being watched.  She looked back only to see Calida still standing in front of the house. She then raised her hand and waved. Anemone waved back as well.

     "Hey Kano,  is there something strange about your sister?"

"Strange…..let me think," he replied,  "Yeah, she likes snacking at midnight. "

"I didn't mean things like that," she said as she continued walking. 

    As soon as they were out of eyeshot, Calida turned back and opened the door. She closed it behind her as she sat down leaning against it. 

     I guess my dream is finally over. She thought as her body began releasing a red aura. The red glow in her eyes became distinct.  A malicious red. I guess I could only afford a year with you. I guess it has already started. 

      Her aura began turning to flames as they began gathering in front of her. It began changing to blue the more flames it produced. As that happened, a memory came to mind.  In it, she was consumed by flames. It was hot but she continued walking through them. Her eyes turned to blue as her aura dissipated.  The flame still stood in front of her. Feathers of flames fell from it as it was floating.  The feathers dissolved in the air when they got too far from it.

     "Can you watch them for me for a while?" she asked, "Don't go too far though…..I don't want our connection to weaken."

"Understood," A voice said. It came from the flames. They then flew out the window. 

     She reached for under her shirt and held her golden necklace.  She took hold of the golden star as she cuddled herself. I just wish my dream could have lasted a little longer. Afterall, you are all I have left.

      Another memory came to mind.  It was a six year old Kano smiling as blood washed down from his mouth.