Namius! Look out!" A girl's voice called out to a red haired boy who sat in the grass just yards away. The boy was almost the mirror image of the girl, but had much longer hair ironically. The boy wore his long, crimson hair in a braid that fell over his shoulder; his bangs falling in his eyes as he looked at the ground below him. He wore a black, long-sleeved shirt that covered his arms, neck, and torso completely, along with a pair of red trousers that matched his hair almost exactly. His dark attire contrasted greatly with the bright, sunny day.
Namius lifted his head from staring at the blades of grass beneath him, and raised a brow in question as he scanned the field for his sister. Before his eyes could reach her, he saw something else heading his way. A large rock came soaring through the air in his direction. At first Namius wanted to scoff, and prepare to deflect it with ease, but then he realized it was farther away than he thought. As it got closer, he realized that the mere rock was actually a boulder flying his way! Behind the boulder ran Namine with a large grin on her face; a second attack obviously. Namius was up in a flash from his spot, and just as the boulder nearly smashed into him, he ducked to the side and hurled himself to the right of the enormous rock. He made it just in time, and somehow even managed to land on his feet. Yet right as he got his footing, Namine was upon him with fists of fury. He held both hands out at the right moment to catch her fists in them, but was pushed back by the sheer amount of force her hands held. His feet sunk into the dirt, and made a trail as he was pushed back until he felt his back slam against a tree. The whole tree shook and groaned from the force of impact, and the leaves fell like rain above them. Clenching her fists and his teeth, he glared at her. Blue eyes met red, and pierced one another like knives.
"What the hell? I was just getting relaxed." Namius scolded, and then with a flick of both wrists, proceeded to bend her wrists backwards. Namine let out a soft cry from the pain, and tore her hands away from his. She lept back a few feet, and crossed her arms over her chest once she was a good distance away.
"I just wanted to see if you were paying attention!" She replied while grinning yet again. She shook out her short, red hair, and stared at him with a look of utter satisfaction.
"You're extremely lucky I didn't use this new power on you. You'd have been fried in seconds." Namius growled, and slowly let himself fall down onto his rear at the base of the tree. Namine decided that now it was time to approach him. She slowly walked up to him, and then sat down right in front of him beneath the shade of the tree. She sat indian-style with her elbows in her lap and her chin in her hands.
"Ooooh the BLACK FLAME. I'm so scared that I'm shaking!" She taunted, but then reached out a hand to cup her brother's cheek. Namius was busy looking at the ground again, but he picked up his head once he felt his sister's touch. "Are you okay? I mean, you've been very grouchy lately, but today you seem...off. I don't know. I'm not sure of how to describe it." Namius shrugged his shoulders, and lifted a hand into his bangs to push them back out of his eyes.
"I'm fine. Side effects of a new power or something, I guess. I've just felt...strangely.." Namius started, only to have Namine finish his sentence. They really were two of the same mind sometimes.
"Melancholy? I know. I can feel it." She muttered, and then took her hand away. "You really should tell dad. I'm sure he knows what to do."
"No. I don't need to tell Father. I need to stop relying on him to drag me out of every situation I get into. I'm old enough to learn how to take care of myself." Namius narrowed his eyes stubbornly, and closed his eyes. He tried to relax himself back against the tree as much as he could even though the bark was hard on his back.
"You're an idiot." Namine said simply.
"I'm a what?!" Namius' eyes shot open, and he glared at her.
"An idiot. You do realize you have family right?" Namine reflected his anger.
"Of course I d-"
"Do you know what family is for?!"
"Y-"
"We're supposed to help each other. To care for each other during the darkest and brightest of times. If we're feeling down, we tell one another so that we can be helped! Namius, people don't sense things about you as much as I do. Not everybody can tell when you need help. You need to swallow your damn pride and tell them for once! Otherwise, we may as well not even be here." Namine practically spat at him as she said these words. Namius opened his mouth to reply, but as soon as he did, he felt the wind pick up around them.
"Namine..." He started, letting his eyes shift to see his surroundings better. It wasn't just the shade of the tree that was dark now; the whole sky had turned black with dark clouds in mere seconds. The wind began to howl, and whip through the remaining leaves of the tree. Something wasn't right. Namine squinted her eyes to see her brother in front of her. It was so dark now, and it was only turning blacker with time. Namius was more fortunate, and could see in the dark. He reached for Namine's hand as soon as he could. "Something isn't right..." He said as quietly as he could. He looked into the distance as far as his eyesight would let him, and then suddenly caught sight of something strange. In the distance, he could see six pairs of eyes. That is, they were in the shape of eyes. They were more like white, glowing orbs hidden among the tall grass and bushes.
Namius squeezed Namine's hand tightly. "There's something out there, Namine. We need to leave right now." He whispered, and then stood while pulling Namine up forcefully with him. Namine blinked a few times to try and adjust her eyesight.
"Namius what is it? Are you just playing tricks? Is this some sort of new ability?" She asked, aware of how strange something like this to happen was.
"No, this isn't me." He replied, and then began to back up slowly past the tree with his sister in tow. "I don't know what it is."
"I can't see, Namius. What does it look like? Namius?" Namius ignored her question so that he could focus on the eyes in front of them. He debated on what to do. There was a chance these were some sort of creature. They could be fast, so running might not be the best idea. Yet closer inspection could cause a fued. Plus, there was the whole weather situation. Whatever they were, they had to have been causing this. There was no other explanation. First the weather, then they show up. Coincidence? Most definitely not.
[
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTIJMq_Fo_Q&index=6&list=PL883956BE5ACDA1DD ]
"They're moving towards us." Namius finally said. The orbs began to move at a slow rate; approaching the two. It was decided. There was no running. But six pairs of eyes? Six opponents if things got bad. "Namine. We may have to fight. Will you be okay if I call out enemy positions?"
"Blind training routine?"
"Blind training routine."
"You call out the direction, and I'll be there to throw the punches."
Namius started to make out the shapes of the figures, but the stench came first. It was horrible; unlike anything he had ever smelled before. "Oh my goo.." He started, but couldn't finish the sentence due to the vomit building up in his throat. He didn't even need to look at Namine; he could hear her retching already onto the ground. Melting flesh and blood. That was the stench. Yet it wasn't the kind of blood that would make him drool. It was rotten, thick, and old. There was also the hint of fresh blood, but it was masked by the smell of the flesh. Somehow Namius was able to hold back his lunch; whether it be pure willpower or just luck.
"B-brother... what the hell?" Namine asked after she had finally stopped losing her own lunch on the ground. She was shaking. Namius could feel her hand tremble within his own. The creatures stopped only yards away. One of them started to glow more. A white smile seemed to carve across its 'face'; black ooze dripping through what looked like glowing teeth. Then the shape of horns appeared. They were cracked, and light poured through them.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Namius asked, gagging after he had gotten the words out. Several eyes disappeared, but soon reappeared. They were surrounded in a circle with the siblings making up the middle. Namius let go of Namine, and Namine tried her best not to be fearful when he did. Namius lifted both hands up in a fighting stance, and put one foot in front of the other in case he had to lunge. The creature who had a mouth seemed to reply, but what replaced words was garble that sounded like a botched radio station. Yet Namius was able to make out one word in particular. 'Food'.
"Namine 3 o'clock!" Namius shouted, and ducked as she suddenly kicked her foot out. The roundhouse kick flew over his head, and smashed into one of the creatures. At least, Namius thought it did at first. However, when Namine's foot refused to fall back down, he realized it had been stuck inside of the darkness. Namine gasped, and tried her best to pull her foot out. There was no use; she was stuck. "Namine!" Namius shouted, and reached for her leg, but he felt something grab his shoulders. A burning sensation rippled through him as he felt the smokey hands on his body. At the same time he started to feel it, Namine screamed from the pain that now ripped through her leg. The sort-of black aura began to cover her leg, devouring it as it went. The same happened to Namius, and it began to start to cover him. "N-NO!" He screamed loudly, and something inside of him began to pulse and shake him to his very core. Power began to surge through his veins, and he felt a new shade of black cover his hands. Blackened flames licked out from his hands, and he made a fist with one of them. Swinging around forcefully, his fist collided with the head of one of their attackers, and tore straight through it like a hot knife through butter. The creature let out more garbled sounds; this time from agony as its body began to dissipate while the flames from his fists spread to its distorted body.
"Brother!" Namine yelled, pulling Namius back to what was at hand. His shoulders were still covered in the remains of the assailant, and now ran down his body like hot tar. He tried to ignore this as he made his way to his sister. Grabbing onto her leg, he began to pull, but it was no use even for his incredible strength. Instead, a frontal attack would have to do.
The creature was too busy devouring Namine's leg to even see the fists approaching its face. Namius' fists turned into open palms, and began to pound at the creature like bullets from a machine gun. Each hit blew a little more of the figure away; creating holes in its body that couldn't fill themselves in time. Soon there was little left of the creature except for the black that remained on Namine's leg. He was so busy worrying about that bit, that he didn't noticed the mouthed creature approaching him from behind. He only knew at the last moment when Namine screamed.
"Namius! Look out!" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-qQ_brIsfY ]
"ACK!"
Something painful. Searingly so. What was it?
Silence. Peace and quiet.
Darkness. Black and never-ending.
"NO BROTHER!" A scream called out to Namius, but there was no use in trying to find out where it was coming from. Namius only knew where it came from when reality came flashing back in an instant. He could see again. The darkness was clear. In front of him stood Namine. Tears streamed from her face. What was she crying for? Her hair was matted with something red, and it clung to her face now that a heavy rain began to fall over them. Namius tried to ask her what was wrong, but no words came out. He felt light, weightless.
Peering down, he noticed something sticking out of his stomach. It was in the shape of a long, dark arm with claws on the end. Red covered its black length. As red as his hair. 'What is this?' He thought, having no recollection of what had just happened before. 'Why is..' His though process was jumbled now, and he couldn't even finish his thought. That was when he felt the tearing sensation. The feeling of every organ in his body being torn through at once. Yet he didn't die. No, he didn't get that sweet release. Instead he felt every single bit of pain ignite his entire body. Blood poured from the open wound that the arm filled, and also from his lips. Namine's screams ripped across the field loud enough for probably even their parents to hear. The creature behind Namius came closer, and its body pressed against the back of his own. Instead of simply pressing against him though, it began to sink into Namius'. His body began to turn the color of the creature's very slowly as it seemed to enter his very being. Namine could only look on in horror, and could hardly stand now that her entire leg was covered with the same remnants. After only a few moments, Namius' body resembled the creature's. This only lasted a split second, however, and soon the blackness sunk into his skin. Namius' eyes were wide, never closing as all of this happened. He was a shell of himself.
"Oh, Namius.." Namine muttered, finally losing her balance, and falling down onto her knees in front of him. Her whole body began to convulse and twitch as her leg began to disappear. She was going to pass out. No, she was going to die with the amount of blood that now poured from what was left of her leg.
Finally Namius moved, but not as himself. His once blue eyes began to fade to red, and then white. After white, they became black. His mouth spread into a wide grin, and then split at the corners. The skin of his cheeks ripped and tore until it was gaping wide, and showing all of his sharp teeth just like the creature's. Only instead of white and ooze-y, it was red and fleshy.
"Kill...." The words seethed from his mouth, and dripped off his tongue like the blood that still flowed from his mouth. Namine's head hit the ground as she fell on her stomach. Namius was upon her in an instant. He bent over and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her up by it, and into the air.
"Broth..." Her slow words were not fast enough, and Namius pulled her back like a pitcher getting ready to throw a ball. Throwing her was just as easy as that. She hit the ground like a sack of flour, and a loud groan left her lips. She wasn't even aware enough to scream. Yet again Namius was upon her, and picked her up just as he did before. Instead he grabbed her by the neck this time, and raised her body close to his own. Namine used what strength she had to reach out and grab him by the neck of his shirt. She clung to it like it was her lifeline. Tears filled her eyes, and she struggled to look up at him. "N-no...not brother.." She said after seeing his face. She knew this was not him. After he heard these words, it was like a shock back into reality. He dropped her. Both of his hands went to his head, and he dug his nails into the side of it.
"NO! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!"The garbled voice began to shriek as Namius fought back control. He was aware of everything now, and saw his sister laying in a pool of blood at his feet. "NO!" It was his voice that screamed this time; on and on again as he repeated himself. After struggling for what seemed like an eternity, his mouth began to heal and return to its normal shape. His eyes regained their blue color, and his body was left without a scratch. Yet it was too easy. The creature had let him take control. He panted and tried to catch the breath he had lost. "Wh-What was that.." He asked softly through breaths, bending over so he could put his hands on his knees.
"Brother." He heard a voice below. His sister's voice. [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pY0-NcUuNA&list=PL883956BE5ACDA1DD&index=9 ]
"No!" Namius called out, and fell down to his knees next to where his sister lay. "Namine!" His hands tried to cover the wound on her leg, but it was too late. The fall from his throw had broken her in too many places, and she was losing blood faster than her vampiric powers could even replace. "Damn it! I'm," He couldn't find the words to say, and could only stare at the body below.
"Shut up.." She said, and somehow a smile tried to force its way onto her face. She tried to grab his hand, but didn't have enough strength. To save her from trying again, Namius took her hand in his own, and held it as tight as he could.
"Please, please don't Namine." He pleaded as tears began to fill his eyes instantly. "We can make it back home. I'll pick you up; just hold on." He reached for her body again, but she shook her head, and resisted him.
"Don't." She said, and closed her eyes tight to try and fend off the pain. "It's too...it's too late." Her voice was hoarse and raspy as she spoke now. Namius didn't listen. Instead he pulled his hand away from hers, and tried to lift her up. He had to support all of her weight because she couldn't hold herself up with one leg, and he tried his best to hold her despite the fact his whole body felt heavy with exhaustion. Namine leaned forward and pressed her forehead against her brother's. Namius' eyes widened as they met his sisters. Both were reflections of one another once again. Tears filled both pairs of eyes, and streaked their bloody faces. "I love you, Namius. I know you didn't...you didn't... you didn't do this." She reached out with a shakey hand and grabbed the neck of his sweater again like she had before.
"Stop it. Stop it right now! You're going to be fine!"
"Tell father how you're feeling...tell him...the creatures got me. Please. Just.." She sucked in a breath, and tried to continue, but she simply couldn't. She was out of time.
"Just what? Just what?!" Namius shouted, and shook her just a little to try and wake her up from the daze she seemed to enter. Her grip became more gentle until her hand finally fell from his neck. Soon after this happened, both fell to the ground again. Namius' strength wasn't enough to even hold her. He carefully lay her back down, and put his ear down against her chest to try and make out a heartbeat. Nothing. Silence. Peace and quiet. He stay there with his head against her, and reveled at just how fast her body became hard and cold along with his heart.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fRaWZji_Co&index=18&list=PL883956BE5ACDA1DD ]
((Music is best to add atmosphere. It is highly recommended. If it ends before the next song, replay. Also (~) Represents a flashback, and then a break of a flashback is (-) ))
The walk home was long, ugly, and difficult. Namius had somehow used whatever strength he had left to lift Namine from her spot. He struggled in the downpour, and no longer sobbed for the loss of his sister. Instead, he focused on the path ahead of him to try and get her back to where she belonged: her home. He trudged through the mud that had replaced the dirt path; the one they had just walked upon mere hours ago to get to their little getaway in the forest. It was where they always played as kids.
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"Namius! Look!" Shouted Namine from across the grass. She was small; only about ten years old. Namius rushed over to her side from where he had been looking at the sky just moments before. He was fond of doing this. It gave him a sort of inner peace that he craved in everyday life. As he reached her, he immediately put a hand on her shoulder and narrowed his eyes as he looked into the distance.
"What is it Namine?! A monster? Don't worry, I'll protect you!" Namius exclaimed so loud that the birds took flight from their trees all at once. Namine giggled, and shook her head. She bent down to the ground below, and took something from the grass into her hands. She was careful to keep it hidden while she brought it up to her brother's view. Slowly she cracked her palms open, and showed him what was inside.
"Oh, come on! It's just a butterfly!" Namius growled, and turned his head away from the small, red creature that rested in Namine's palm. Namine frowned.
"But I love butterflies, brother.."
"Butterflies are stupid!"
Namine bit her lower lip, and fought back angry tears. "No they're not! You're stupid!" She yelled, and unleashed the butterfly from its captivity in her hands. She then turned her back to him, and began to run from his sight as tears ran down her face. Namius stood there and watched as she fled behind a tree. He grunted, and shouted to her as she disappeared.
"Oh yeah?! Well you're s..stupider!" He clenched his fists at his sides, and grinded his teeth irritably. However, he heard the sound of her crying behind the tree, and felt his heart ache in that moment. Slowly he made his way to the tree she had sat behind. It was a large oak filled with leaves; the perfect resting place in the shade he thought. As he came face-to-face with her, she immediately placed both hands over her face to hide her tears. "Namine, I..." He started, and let himself sit down in front of her. He sat indian-style with his elbows in his lap, and his hands on his chin. "I'm sorry. you're not stupid. The butterfly isn't stupid. In fact, it was beautiful. Just like you!" He smiled widely, and gave a little laugh. Namine looked up from her hands, and sniffled softly.
"R-Really?" She asked, and then felt another wave of tears coming on. She quickly wrapped her arms around her brother and buried her head in his chest.
"Yes, really. I don't ever lie!" Namius swore, and hugged her tightly the moment she was against him.
"Brother?"
"Hmm?"
Namine looked up at him, a look of concern on his face. "Promise you'll always protect me?"
Namius furrowed his eyebrows in confusion at the sudden question. "Why do you ask that all of a sudden?"
"Just do it. Promise." Namine held up her pinky to him.
"Pinky promises are for kids!" He replied, and stuck his tongue out at her.
"Promise!" She insisted, and Namius sighed. He lifted his own pinky and wrapped it around hers.
"I promise, then. I'll always protect you."
Namine smiled widely up at him. "I promise too."
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'SPLASH'
Namius groaned loudly as he fell into the mud below. He was drenched in mud and rain, and his clothes were heavy. He hadn't let Namine fall into the mud, though, and he held her body against himself as he lay on his back where he had fallen.
"D-damn..." He uttered softly, and tried to pick himself back up. This was no simple task, and he struggled to get to his feet. When he did, he limped from the fall, but was determined to finish his journey. There was no way he was going to leave her out there. Not after what he had done. He sucked up the pain, and trekked along. By now his home had come into sights. However, as soon as he saw it, he felt the tears come back. What would they think? What would they do? Shaking his head, he growled audibly. No, it didn't matter. He deserved whatever came. Looking down at his sister, he noticed the rain had washed most of the blood away. She looked almost peaceful...asleep. His tears hit her cheek just as the rain did, and he finally collapsed at the door to his home. He hugged Namine tight against him, and let it all out. Disgusting sobs left his throat, and the sound filled the now-night air. The crows all heard and flew from their trees as fast as they could.
"I'm so sorry!" He shouted against her body through the tears, sucking in short breaths as the sobs took away all of his air. "I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!" He continued the best he could. When he finished speaking, and could no longer say anything more, he simply sat there with her against him; as if letting her go would truly make her leave. As he sat there, wallowing in self-pity and loud sobs, he noticed something about Namine. Something had landed on her face. He loosened his arms just enough so that he could see her on his lap, and his eyes went wide to what he spotted.
There, on the bridge of her nose, stood a small, red butterfly.
Somehow it was withstanding the rain there as it stood on her nose. Namius lifted a hand to Namine's face, and stuck out his index finger. The butterfly made its way onto his finger, and he lifted his hand very slowly up into the sky. As he did, the butterfly took flight up into the air, and disappeared from sight. Namius looked into the sky, and let the rain wash away his salty tears that just kept coming. He knew what he had to do. He gathered up Namine's body into his arms again, and stood from his spot in the mud. His eyes looked over the door for a few seconds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Promise me you'll always protect me!"
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Namius carefully stuck his foot out, and gave the door one, single kick. The sound would be enough to alert someone inside. The sound was enough to shatter whatever was left of Namius himself.
