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by The Matriarchy of The Red Mother. . 22 reads.

C H A P T E R T W O


.
M E M O R I E S


Memories of the past.

Guard them well.


C H A P T E R T W O


Age of Shattering - 1221

Frost coated the steep mountain path, encasing the rocks in a slippery shell. My breath came out in large puffs of white air, muscles aching from the long trek.

Were I not so tired, I might have found the temple beautiful with its large stained glass windows glistening in the spring sun.

Within would be my future master, and despite having reached the end of my journey, I dared not go inside.


Age of Shattering - 1221

Fingers dug harshly into my shoulder, yanking me to my feet.

I wanted to scream, or cry, or perhaps both, but I gritted my teeth and did neither.

"If there's still air in your lungs, you fight. You put one foot ahead of the other. Move."

My Master's hand pushed me hard in the back, forcing me to walk while my legs quaked in protest.


Age of Shattering - 1222

Metal clangs against the frozen mountain rock.

Frostbitten fingers curl up for warmth, knuckles bruised deep purple.

"Pick up your sword. Get back on your feet. This time, mind your balance"

My muscles burn as fiercely as the tears in my eyes, and I charge anew.


Age of Shattering - 1225

Only once night fell, swaddling the mountain range in its comforting dark veil, was I allowed to rest. I sat cross-legged on the temple floor, balancing my soup bowl in my lap, letting the warmth of it heat my stomach.

As my body finally began to relax, it soon tensed back up at the approaching footsteps of my Master. She stopped by my side, not speaking, simply sitting down. There we ate in each other's company for the first time.


Age of Shattering - 1227

Blood dripped from the creature's large maw, its haunting pupil-less eyes fixed on mine. I could barely breathe, my heart pounding in my throat.

Soon more of the twisted creatures crept ever closer from the shadows, and by now the voice in my head was overpowering my own thoughts.

It begged me to let it help me, and seized by fear as I was, I acquiesced.


Age of Shattering - 1227

"After all this time, you-" my master cut herself off as her voice strained with emotion. "Do they know? Does Nostra know? No. No, they couldn't. They would not have sent you to me if they knew."

A humorless laugh passed her lips, her expression momentarily twisting into one of grief.

"A Chosen One. Right under my nose..." Her fingers twitched, touching the hilt of her sword before letting her hand fall.

"Once you can walk, you leave. Perhaps... Perhaps you may find a way to keep that thing within you under control. But should the wilds take you, then God, so be it."


Age of Shattering - 1227

Moving as unobtrusively as possible, I crept through the wilting grass, slowly inching ever closer to my prey.

A wild boar had come to quench its thirst at the river, and though It was in the water, I could see how its dark ears still flicked towards any sound - ever alert. Holding my breath, prepared to leap from hiding, fingers tight around the hilt of my blade.

It had not heard me coming, and as the animal bled out at my feet, I wondered if I'd ever grow accustomed to watching the life ebb from someone's eyes.


Age of Shattering - 1228

Dying flames from the campfire cast abstract shapes onto the damp cavern walls. For a time I watched as the patches of light moved against their dark backdrop, dancing away the last of their light.

As my heavy eyelids drifted close, Its voice whispered another apology, lamenting that it had caused my exile - this loneliness.

Though sleep was taking hold, I cracked a smile, for how could I be lonely when It was always with me?


Age of Shattering - 1229

As I did so many years ago, I stood once more before the stone temple nestled atop the mountains.

Despite the countless days that had come and gone since then, the same nebulous dread was gathering in my chest, creeping up my throat, I knew this would be tempting fate, but my Master had spared me once before.

With a steadying breath I sat down beside the doors, waiting for her Judgment to come.


Age of Shattering - 1235

A strange thing, to no longer retch at the scent of burning flesh.

Impossibly black smoke billowed from the pile of corpses as my Master tossed another limb into the flames.

We had arrived too late, with half the villagers already torn asunder by the creature's mindless rampage by the time we managed to strike it down.

Nonetheless, the remaining villagers thanked us for saving them. But would they still have sung my praises had they known what I was?


Age of Shattering - 1249

With an ear-splitting shriek, the Nightmare Creature finally fell heavily to the ground.

Even so, I thrust my blade through its skull, ensuring it would never rise again.

My Master came to my side, her hand gently squeezing my shoulder in silent celebration of our victory.

In the growing pool of tarlike blood, our reflection gave me pause - two faces, one having grown, while the other remained as it always had.


Age of Shattering - 1255

"But what did the letter say, exactly?" Curiosity had gotten the better of me, and I broke the silence hanging over our trek through the woods.

My Master did not answer, casting a glance skyward to ensure we were still on the right path according to the stars.

"It's not often our missions come with a messenger-" I continued, as I'd been ignored before, but now I earned myself a glare that made me fool like a child all over again.

My Master turned halfway, the wind tousling her grey hair. "A Blade does not question the hand that wields it, it merely acts."


Age of Shattering - 1255

"What are you doing," my master's voice was strained, her tone even, though filled with an underlying fury. The blood of the kid's parents glistened on her blade, the sharp point of which was now turned towards me.

"You gave me a chance. Please - doesn't he deserve one as well?" My words made her jaw clench, her eyes flitting to the child cowering in fear behind me, then back to me.

"If you do not move," she began, her words near pleading, but I had already drawn my sword.


Age of Shattering - 1255

"Ah, you've returned. I trust that the mission was-" the Nostra messenger paused as realization flared in his eyes. "Oh, but you come alone?" I nod stiffly, my throat dry.

"I see. You have my sympathies," he said, in a tone which suggested obligation rather than empathy.

"The Chosen One - it killed her, I couldn't-" my voice broke, and even though I was lying through my teeth, my tears ran hot and true.


Age of Shattering - 1256

The air was filled with the hollow sound of practice sticks striking against one another.

A soft thud briefly interrupted the clacking, the first disciple to lose their practice duel falling to the ground.

For a moment I merely observed, a few heartbeats passing while he lay on the ground, before I decided to approach.

Kneeling, I offered my defeated student a hand. "Rise again. As long as there is air in your lungs, you fight."



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The Matriarchy of The Red Mother

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