Chapter 2: The Path of Faith   

Kei was still holding on to Maluspuer and they were just looking at each other. Somehow it made her feel calmer. She felt more comfortable around him. He had somewhat long black hair and red eyes. All of the men she so far looked so unreal. For some reason he was helping her calm down after the dream. She kept staring back at him trying to find her words still “I- I am sorry…” she couldn’t look at him and say this. She found this all so embarrassing. Those were the first words she spoke in hours. She felt strange… she wish she said nothing. Her voice was quiet and sounded very pretty. Some would say calm.

He helps her to stand up. “There’s no need to be.” He said in a nice manner to her. “So don’t worry.” He added and then led her into his room that he stayed in. There was a door connecting the two rooms.  They were very lovely looking and well kept. How everything else was in the mansion. But, his room seemed a little darker than the other room she was in.

She let him take her to his room.  She stood there in the middle of the door way not knowing what to do and stopped. She quickly looked around without moving her head and then looked back down and the floor. She just stood there looking so tense…She could feel his eyes on her. She was too anxious to look at him again. ‘I’m in a strange mansion with a bunch of strange men! I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now…I was going to run but…I can’t right now…’

He went to sit on his bed. He gave the gesture of offering her a spot next to him as he smiled. When she did not move, he laid down as he put his hands behind his head. He was a laid back person but had a child like side at times, but also had a very seductive one as well. She just stood there looking at him. Then she looked at the floor contemplating if she should go. Her legs had a mind of their own and started walking towards the bed. She stood at the edge not knowing what to do again. “If you have trouble sleeping again I’ll help out with that.” He told her as he also looked at her. He was a vampire with many things…

She just looked at him still standing there. Then she looked at her hands. She was too anxious to move. She put her hand out nervously on the bed. Her heart was beating fast. She was partly scared. It was quite and dark…She took her hand back and stared at the bed. She could tell he was staring at her the whole time and she decided to look back. She felt sort of safe…So she put her knees on the bed and sat there looking at him, then at the mattress… “There’s no harm doing here.” He said while looking at her, he spoke the truth but things were odd here.

She felt somewhat calm being next to him. Although things were very strange…Kei was used to strange. All the things she had been through…This is also why she distanced herself from others. She knew they weren’t human. She knew they had powers and probably other strange abilities just like her. ‘Maybe this is why I feel safe here…knowing they are like me… I have never really met someone like this before… But…There is still things I don’t know about them. And things they don’t know about me…can I trust them? They did take care of me until now…’ She just stared off thinking. But her eyes appeared to be…Ghostly… As if you could see everything she was hiding if you just looked inside her…

She wasn’t sure if she should say anything to him. ‘I feel safe enough for now…’ So she fixed her legs and laid down on the bed in a curled up position. She had her back towards him because she did not want him to look at her in the face anymore. She did not like the fact the she was breaking down in front of all these beings. She wanted to close her eyes…But after the dreams…She was afraid. She knew it would happen again. She has always been plagued with things trying to kill her since she was born…’since I was born… my-……mother…’  This was something she did not want to remember at all. Since she couldn’t bring herself to sleep again she just laid there with her eyes wide open. You could see how tired and frightened she was. She seemed so strong…but really…fragile. Kei didn’t want to remember her parents like in that… that…’I don’t want to think about this! Why can’t they leave me alone…Why do they…Why…Did they…’ Tears start to well up in her eyes again for it was a painful memory.

He smiled from looking at her. He pushed back some strands of her hair in a careful manner. He wrapped his arm around her. He couldn’t help but do so. He always did get easily comfortable around any female…

‘Is he smiling?! Does he find this funny?  Wha-! He is touching me? …Is it safe for me to trust him…He does make me feel a bit calmer…Does he… I wonder if he thinks I am pretty… Men don’t normally do this stuff unless they like for you? He and the kind man with the glasses…They were both touching me…Wait…How did I get here! I was in the forest and then there was the demon…Who was watching me? Which man was it…It must have been the two from before…They were the only ones with me when I got here…Who was it? Should probably thank them…Even though they were following me… If they didn’t I don’t know what would’ve happened to me. The man was nice to me… Although it was kind of embarrassing to be seen like this…And now this man too…Why do they keep touching me? Although, in a way.. I kind of like it. I haven’t had anyone do so much for me before. I don’t know how to feel about this…I don’t know them! From what I can sense from their energy…I know they are like me…I am not wrong of that. But, there are other things too…Their type of energy I have encountered before… Not them…But creatures like them. What are they? Why can’t I remember things today? it doesn’t matter if I can trust them…Because I know what I am..Er… The things I can do…I don’t want to hurt them. I must seem so frail. Screaming and crying all over the place. I feel so stupid. I normally don’t cry like this! Maybe a few tears, but I hardly cry a lot. If I do…It can get worse than this. I don’t want that to happen. It almost did when I was on the couch…Am I even myself right now? I hope nothing happens. Although that is stupid to think something wouldn’t…Just want to be me…But I-… I am poisonous…’

This mad had a very loving sense to him, and due to him being a vampire he always had females allured to him. It was quiet throughout the mansion now, as he somewhat cuddled her. Footsteps echoed down the hall way from Avrid’s boots. He kept his head down and his eyes closed as he walked, though stopped near the vampires room.  “….Please keep the doors closed at all times….Maluspuer.” Avrid spoke with somewhat of a low voice as it was obedient tone yet one of a strong willed person but spoke as if that was his kid.
‘Another man? I have not heard his voice from before. How many men are there?!’ She was still on the bed with his arms over her. She felt…Frozen…paralyzed. This had happened before, but not with a bunch of strange men. She heard someone enter.

Avrid looked at her as Maluspuer sat up. Avrid…kept looking at her as he narrowed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows. “….Who is that?” Avrid spoke. He seemed trust worthy but due to his being, he was considered bad. Anyone he tried to help or get close to would be scared of him.  “…I don’t know…- I mean- a friend.” Maluspuer said with a chuckled, but Avrid sensed something odd about her that he couldn’t ignore.

In her head the whispers and screams of thousands of voices started to make her start shaking again. She was used to all of this…But it’s worse…’It always gets worse…it will never end…I will be like this forever…’ Her body kept shaking and her heart had jolts of sharp pain. She cried out and held her chest from the pain she was having. ‘My heart… why is it like this?!’ There was tears streaming her face and she tried to get away from him…She was still crying out…Her heart…Feels like its dying all over again..She crawled off the bed and on to the floor.

The voices kept shouting at her and she couldn’t stop her screaming. So much pain…forever… She didn’t know what was happening…It was never so bad. Her eyes widened as she saw something in the room…The demon again…’Can anyone see him?! Please…Someone help me!’ She heard laughing…The mocking sounds of the demon. Laughing at her, like always. ‘Maybe…I deserve this…’ A thought she always had. She hated herself with a deep passion. The demon smirked at her and said “You are a fool Kei. We will always be here for you” The unknown demon stretches out his hand and sticks it through her skull. She begins to feel dizzy and she starts feeling all the pain…and memories. Living them all over again…she feels herself being drained. She just wanted it over. ‘Just let me die…’

Maluspuer got out from his bed, but Avrid knew very well and saw what was not there. Seeing what happened he stopped the demon and made it vanish. A very disturbing presence came over Avrid. He stopped and looked at her. The way she acted was similar to the one he was partners with… “…Hm…Just a simple being…what punishments do you hold?” He questioned, but did not expect to hear an answer.

Kei began to feel a blanket of tiredness fall over her face. ‘No! Not again!’ She heard what the man had said…”simple being”…’If I were only that’ With that last thought, she collapses on the floor. Strange markings appear on her hands. They start to bleed. The blood starts dripping from her arms. It’s clearly visible now. There is what seems to be claw marks.

What neither the man nor anyone knew, is that she was “punished” the day she was born. Something only her parents knew…They tried to help her…But they could not…

The two males looked at her, watching her suffer. It was as if she was the female version of their dear friend…Nox. Avrid sighed as he took his sword off from his waist and walked past her and sat on the bed. “Wha- Hey wait- aren’t you gonna try and help?” Maluspuer asked but Avrid stopped as there was a pause between them. “….You know how ‘He’ acts…..so what is there to do…?” Avrid said to Maluspuer as if shut him up.  “….She’s similar to him….As much as we’d all like to help them- we cannot. It is there punishments and we cannot interfere with them…those are the ways…” Avrid said and then added on “All you can do is try to make it less painful for each of them…but even then, you cannot help them.” Avrid said and then he got up and left. Maluspuer left after Avrid and walked past him.

While Avrid was walking to his room, a spirit appeared before him. “she is not being punished…” She knew very well the he could hear her so she said “She is not being punished! She…She has been like this since she was born…She doesn’t deserve this! And i can’t help her… I am one of her spirit guides…We all try so hard…But the darkness wants her…They want her because…Because she is powerful…She’s special…It’s not the same reasons as your friend. They’re different. Look at her…I know you have the ability to see things…So just look at her…Help her.. She’s all alone. The only punishment she lives is being born! She was born to…It’s not for me to say yet…”The spirit girl that seemed to be protecting Kei just stared at the man.. Hoping he’d listen. He’s the first that could see her. “.. Please…Take care of her…She needs someone…She truly has no one…And she will try to run…but don’t let her…for bad things will happen…”

He heard loud and clear what the female has said. Stopping at his door he said. “Do you know the abuses for the two terms? Of the ones who want them and the ones who punish them?” Avrid told the female. “Of course she is, the two of them are, but from our side of things…No matter what we all try to do, they will keep trying to take her away.” He said and turned to face the spirit. “We all can care for her that is assured. But we cannot save her from her self…” He said he would explain more on why, but it would be unnecessary information and would confuse one too many for it is a long story. She said “… You of all people…hm…you know what…I will tell you. But, you can’t tell anyone else…you must promise me this…” A male spirit appears next to the girl. “What are you doing?”He said. “He needs to know…you know why…” She responded to him. “Yes…I see…” Both spirits look at Avrid as if awaiting confirmation. He stood there with his narrowed eyes waiting to hear what was needed to be said, but he eased his expression.  “I’ve lived for more than 100 years…Even though I am the opposite of a angel, I stay true to secrets…for I have many un told…” He said with his strong willed voice. “You have my word….” He added as he then remained quiet looking at them both.

She began to speak. “She of course is not human…which you already felt. But, she’s…so much more than what you think…She is one of a kind truly…She is the supreme being. The person created to help the universe. Inside of her she has 2 sides…truly balanced…Which is not supposed to be real…everything she is, isn’t supposed to exist. Her parents knew what she was…her parents tried to protect her…but ever since she was born, the darkness would keep trying to find her.. You were right about them not going away…they want her…to corrupt her…they want her to bring destruction to the world…she is not supposed to be for this!…everything she touches…she changes. She hates herself more than words describe. No matter what she touched. She feels everything just turns to ash. She feels as if all the people she gets close to…dies…because of her…Which is not exactly a lie..Her parents…they…there was a fire one day…in the town…caused by the darkness…and her parents took her. They ran away. They didn’t want people to find out what she was…so her father told the mother to run…they ran through the forest; trying to get away from the dark…They were both very strong people. They were special. Like her and you. But, they were human. And her mother lost sight of the father but kept running…she heard his screams…she turned around but kept pushing on through the forest.. This forest to be exact…her mother…was so brave…and tried to protect her and gave her time to run…she was just a child…I’m sure you can guess what happened to her parents…every time she had tried to get close to someone…they die..she has tried to have friends but they always get hurt because of her…nobody knows that…but she does…so she distanced herself…she came to this forest because…it has been 10 years since her parents died…on this day..she didn’t have parents…or anyone…She was only about 6…and one of the townspeople new of her…what she was. They could see it in her. He was also not normal. He was making his way back to the town when he was the fire…and he heard her mother’s screams…he followed the voices and he found her running through the forest. So he took her. He was the only person she really knew after that…But they also died…She was old enough by then to take care of herself.. It has only been about 3 years since that incident…She is built to be the strongest.. but she is also…so fragile..she needs your help…she needs someone to help her…she is meant to protect people…and help them…but she has things that are dark about her as well…for she is balanced…that’s how she was made…everything she can do…she is perfect…you can’t tell anyone about her…that is her choice…she needs you…or…she..will die…she has.. scars and markings.. all over her…look at her hands..”  Her hands are small and slender…but she has scarring…mostly on her knuckles and the top of her left hand…” she needs you…we can sense something in you…it must be you…for you are the strongest…”

He listened until the end but added. “I have my limits….But I understand.” He said and bowed his head somewhat. “I’ll do the best I can, but I cannot guarantee anything…” All I can assure is for the fact she will be cared for…..and neither of us can die with such cause. Were not that easy to discard…”Nobody said you would die…you won’t…because you aren’t…normal… you are the only ones she can stay with…there is more to tell…and explain…but, we will let her tell you…you have what you need…you will eventually see..” He sighed softly and nodded. “…Do know, I cannot watch over her all the time due to my job…and I assure you that if she ever came with me- she would no longer be…” he said to make a point clear. ” Do not worry about that…she is strong…she hasn’t given in yet right? You will see in time…what you are meant to…but I cannot explain more…for you have to see on your own…and you will. But, we must go.”

And when she finished, both of the guardians disappeared. Meanwhile, strange markings appear on Kei. They look like some type of spiritual symbols…her eyes suddenly pop open and they are glowing. She slams her hands on the floor and lets out a scream. It doesn’t sound human…it sounds like some sort of creature. Its tone is piercing. It seems to go on for a few seconds before the screeching stops. Everyone there heard but Avrid arrived there quicker than the rest. As he then looked down upon her and looked at her markings; there was something he could do to help, but wasn’t sure if it would work. “…I would need a second help…” He said to himself as he kneels down to her. Though the sense was strong that he got, but it wasn’t too powerful for him to not handle. He began to think he didn’t need a helper at the moment.

Kei’s body went limp again. A tear left her face and her hand shot up and grabbed onto him. She was still not awake. Kyo and Shadow came to investigate as Avrid raised his arm seeing if she would still hang on. “Hm…” “…Oh- you’re going to try again?” Kyo said as he already knew what he was planning on.  “…It’s worth a try, if it does nothing then that’s fine…” Avrid said and put his hand where the markings were. Though painful as it could be, he still had to do it. His nails grew sharp and they dug into her skin.

“Ah!” She screams and rips his hand off of her. She tries to crawl backwards distancing herself from him a little. She see’s everyone else there. ‘This is just not my day!’ She winces in pain from the wounds he had left on her. She puts her hand over her arms. They still had the claw marks of the demon, and now they had these other wounds from Avrid as well. She gathers her energy and closes her eyes. She starts to heal her wounds. The demon had ripped the sleeves of her dress and she had blood on her arms. She then grabbed the hand she used to heal her wounds with and looked away at the floor.

Once she removed his nails that acted like claws, he quickly got out, but was hindered making it more painful. He sighed in annoyance as he looked at the blood from it. “….I guess I might need some assistants after all…” Avrid said and turned around to look up at the two in the back of him. “….Hm…Best if Kyo was to help me with this. Sorry Amon.” He said as Amon crossed his arms and nodded as if he was saying ‘Okaay…’

She just stared at them fearing they would hurt her. She looked around and there was no way out. She had abilities, but preferred not to use them. Kei was hoping it didn’t have to come to that. ‘I don’t want to use my powers…but if I have to…’ She put her right hand behind her back and she was ready to use a power if need be. She didn’t know what to think of what they said. ‘Are they going to hurt me?!…No! I won’t let them!’ She looked at the man who’s nails were in her arm. ‘Maybe I should just run again. But there are more of them than me! Well there is the window and the doors…but I’d have to use my powers to get out of here.’  All she really wanted was for someone to hug her and to go to sleep. ‘I just want to sleep! But I am afraid too. This is all too much!’

Kei’s female spirit guide Sara, was not visible but she whispered to Avrid “Don’t let her get away!” Kyo walks and sat on his knees next to her as Avrid saw she put her hand behind her back. “Don’t think that will stop us…” He spoke as Kyo grasped her shoulder tightly but not in a painful way.  “…Don’t worry though…” Avrid said once he heard the female voice again. The one next to Kei started to connect their minds. As he put her mind into his, everything looked gold like and dreamy. It was as if time had stop for the both of them. A very powerful sense of ease and calmness over took her whole body.

Kei felt calm and looked up at the man from before. ‘He’s the one who was so kind to me before. ‘This other man seems to think I am not as powerful as them? Hmph…he is wrong…but no matter. No need to get upset over that. I just need to stay calm. But it’s hard…He seems to underestimate me? Why is he treating me like this?’ The thought of that saddens her.

I don’t know how I feel about him…one minute he felt protective and caring. It’s feels he just puts up this front. I can sense something strange about him…different from the rest…This man is once again soothing me. And the other man I was with in his room; they are both really kind to me. Then there’s…him…even though the others were kind and cared for me…he seems…as if he’s hiding all his emotions. I want to know more about him… he seems scary, but inside i feel he’s more than that…if only I was able to touch him. I could see what I am feeling. He…he makes me feel…so sad…even though the other calmed me down…there’s something that I am attracted to about him…a certain feeling that I can relate too…it feels familiar to me…is it loneliness…his energy is so much stronger to me than the others..I don’t know why. Is there something between us? What is this feeling he gives off? I know I must be the only one who feels it.’ We are different from the rest. The feelings I have are so strong. What is it about him? Why does he keep starring at me? It makes me uncomfortable at first, but when I look at him…I feel like all his emotions show through…and it’s just pain…’ They keep exchanging stares for a while. The others seem to notice but have no idea what it’s about. ‘I- I can’t look at him anymore…It hurts too much…’

 

Kyo still had her mind within his. Kyo and her looked like statues in place on the outside of their bodies as Avrid was finishing up. Time still seemed slow and steady as Kyo looked at her, they could move within his head but not move their body. A moment after,  Kyo returned her back to her own state of mind as it was a dream that she had to shake off.  “There…those demons shouldn’t mess with you as of right now, they will just linger around us instead, until tomorrow afternoon…” Avrid said as Kyo let go of her slowly and Avrid holding grabbed Shadow’s arm and showed Kei he had the same markings as her on his body. Once Avrid was done, he and Shadow let go as Shadow shook his arm and rubbed his wrist. “Hm…I’ll be down stairs with Vince.” He said and ignored all eye contact with the others. Maluspuer was oddly enough not there. It was dinner time….but also time for a treat for him. Avrid then stood up as Kyo helped her up as well. “….The night is still young….” Avrid said as Kyo put his glasses back on and nodded. Kei looks away from them the whole time. “Me and that mutt-…I mean….that…just- HIM, haven’t gotten a single thing done yet either…hopefully in a few he is back to normal again….The guards are waiting.” Kyo said as he then looked at her. Avrid looked at her too. Such a obedient outlook he gave. “….I did say, they should leave you be, they will only linger around us now until tomorrow noon.” Avrid told her once again and soon left to head to his room.

Kei looked back at the man left in the room. ‘I don’t know what to say…I don’t even know his name. And he’s consoled me twice it seems…I don’t want to be alone right now. Nor do I want to be around all of them. This man seems so calm and caring….I want to follow the one who just left…but I would never. Not yet…On the outside he seems scary, but I feel he is not. Inside I can tell he is soft. I wonder…’

 

Kyo took in a deep breath and let it out softly as he looked at her and bowed his head in respect before leaving as well. Avrid opened his door as it was the one straight ahead. He took off his top as he had some marks on him that were very deep and huge. Even though he healed them, there was still scarring. Kei was left standing in the room. ‘They left me?! I don’t know where I am! What am I to do? Should I go? Do I explore? Kind of rude to just leave me here isn’t it? I have no idea where I am! Hmph…I guess I can leave now…Nobody is around. Is it safe to leave? He said noon. I could make it out of the forest by then…I should leave…I don’t want to burden them. They probably won’t even know until later…’