Lina dreamt of Darkness. It was looming over her, like a body bending over her. She attempted to hit it but instead she grabbed onto it. It screamed! She heard screaming. "Ow! Stop it!!" she heard.
Lina quickly opened her eyes to find a girl about eleven or twelve standing beside the bed. She quickly let go of the handful of hair and the girl stumbled onto the floor.
"Uh...sorry..." was all Lina could manage.
The girl grunted and called out, "Mama! She's 'wake!!"
A woman, wearing an apron and housedress came in with a boy about thirteen or fourteen.
"You heal fast, my dear," the woman commented.
It must have been her ability to regenerate.
"She should have healed, Mother. She slept for about a week," the boy said.
"A week? I was out for a week?" Lina said.
"Yeah, Mama thought you were in a coma or something," the girl said as she fiddled with her hair.
The woman smiled gently and said, "Are you alright now, my dear? Terry and Melry found you flowing from the waterfall. You were badly hurt." She indicated the bandages around Lina's arms and legs.
Lina squeezed her bandaged arms and found no more pain. She pulled the bandages off her arms and legs and found no bruises or scratches at all.
"My, you DO heal fast," the woman said, examining Lina's healed body.
Lina wondered if they knew she was a Mazoku. They treated her as if she was any other normal girl.
The woman held Lina's arms, legs, then she held her face and looked at it, searching for something. She finally smiled a warm smile and let go of Lina's face. "Are you hungry, my dear? You WERE out for a week. I'll make you something to eat."
"Uh...no...thank you...I'm not hungry at all," Lina said and saw the woman's face sadden and quickly added, "Uh...but may I have a cup of tea?"
The woman's face brightened and she nodded. "Of course, my dear! Are you well enough to walk into the living room?" Lina nodded.
"Then Terry and Melry will show you the way and I'll be right back with your tea," she said and went out the door. Lina blinked.
A tug made Lina look down at Melry.
"Come on! You heard Mama! Let's go to the living room!" Melry said and pulled Lina from the bed, dragging her into the living room. The living wasn't much. A comfortable couch, a coffee table in front of it, and bookshelves was mostly what the living room consisted of.
Pictures were hung or placed by the mantle or fireplace.
Lina saw pictures of a man, an honored knight more likely, placed on the mantle. She assumed that he was their father. She saw another picture of the whole family, the honored knight looked like an ordinary woodcutter now. He held in his arms, an infant and a woman was next to him, she held a young boy in her arms.
"That's our Father," Terry stated.
"Papa past away years ago," Melry said, sadly.
Lina took her eyes away from the picture and looked at the two siblings.
"How did he...past away?" Lina asked carefully.
"War," Terry answered shortly.
"Oh..." was all Lina could say.
"But Papa died with honor! He died on the battlefield and that's dying with honor, right?" Melry exclaimed.
"Yes. He did die with honor."
Lina turned to see their mother bringing in a tray of snacks and setting it in front of them.
"Here's a little snack," she said, smiling. "Freshly baked cookies."
"Yum!" Melry said and dove for the cookies.
"Thank you, ma'am," Lina said and took her cup of tea.
"Jenera," she said.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm Jenera," she introduced herself. "You know Terry and Melry. And you are...?"
Lina hesitated before saying, "Lina.....Inverse......"
Uncomfortable silence, mainly for Lina, followed after that.
"Wow! Lina Inverse! THE Infamous Bandit Killer?!" Melry exclaimed.
"Err...ye-yes..." Lina said.
Jenera smiled. "I can't believe we have THE Lina Inverse in our house."
"Yes, but you really must know something..." Lina started, debating whether or not to tell them what she is. "I'm...a......"
"Melry! I believe it's time for berry picking," Jenera said.
"Yes Mama! Can she go with me?" Melry pointed at Lina.
"Melry, she's still weak, she needs rest. You've always done it alone, why can't you do it alone now?" Jenera asked.
Melry sighed bored sigh. "Awright...I'll be right back!" She picked up a basket and ran out the door.
"What was it you were trying to say, my dear?" Jenara asked. "I'm truly sorry for interrupting."
"It's okay. I was just trying to tell you that I'm a-"
"A Mazoku, dear?" Jenara filled in.
Lina looked at her, surprised.
She smiled. "I already knew that, dear."
"If you knew that, then why help me?" Lina asked.
"You don't look evil to me, my dear," Jenara said.
"Looks can be deceiving," Lina whispered and looked away.
She nodded sagely. "Yes, looks CAN be deceiving. But if you were evil, my dear, you would have killed us from the moment you were awake."
"............" Lina couldn't bring herself to look at the older woman's face.
"If you'd like, you can stay here as long as you like, dear," Jenara offered.
Lina looked up. "I shouldn't do that. I'll cause trouble for you and your family."
"Oh that's not true. How can you possibly cause us trouble?" Jenara asked.
Should I tell her? Lina asked herself. I want to tell someone but...
Jenara put her hand warmly on Lina's shoulder.
"Is there something on your mind, my dear?" she asked.
"I'm being chased," Lina said.
"By who?"
"Enemies."
"Well, of course you'll have enemies. You're Lina Inverse, the Enemy of All Who Lived," she said.
"No...not the usual bandits, I mean enemies much more powerful than that," Lina said.
"Maybe you should fill us in on the details," Terry said.
"...I don't think it would be a good idea," Lina said.
"Come on! We saved your life! The least you can do is tell us how you ended flowing in the waterfall," Terry exclaimed.
Lina lowered her head. "It's a long story."
"We've got time!" Terry said.
"Terry! Don't push her!" Jenara scowled.
"Sorry Mother," Terry said automatically..
"If she doesn't want to tell us then don't -- "
"I was forced into becoming a Mazoku," Lina said suddenly.
The two turned and looked at her.
Lina started to tell them everything that happened; from watching her friends die to falling off the cliff and the possibility that the Dragons and the Mazoku were after her life.
"And that's how I ended up here, in your home," Lina lowered her head. Silence again.
Jenara cleared her throat and said, "What would you like for dinner?"
Terry facefault, Lina sweatdropped.
"Mother! Be serious for once!" Terry hissed.
"Well, she told us her whole story, so what? I don't care if she's a Mazoku, as long as she doesn't hurt us. And look at her, poor child, barely fifteen and had to endure all the pain bestow upon her," Jenara said, hands on hips.
Terry sighed. "You do have a point, Mother."
Jenara nodded and smiled with satisfaction.
"I'm baaaaaaaack!" All of them heard from the door. Melry enter the room with a basket full of wild berries. "Here Mama! Is it enough?"
Jenara nodded and took the basket. "Now, I'm going to make dinner. Behave yourselves around Miss Lina, okay?"
Melry shook her head. "Alright Mama!"
Jenara went into the kitchen as Melry took her seat and Terry shifted in his chair.
"You're staying for dinner, right?" Melry asked Lina.
Lina nodded. "Yes. And I thank you both for helping me out of the waterfall."
"It's alright!" Melry exclaimed. "I wanted to save someone just like Papa did!"
"He saved a lot of people?" Lina asked.
Melry nod her head vigorously. "He did! He did!" Then her face seemed to sadden. "But he died fighting in wars..."
"I'm sorry..." Lina whispered.
"It's alright!" Melry said. "I don't really remember him. He died when I was really young."
Lina looked at the picture again. The infant in his arms must have been Melry, she thought. Lina remembered Amelia. She acted like this, didn't she? Always happy and cheerful to consider the time and event.
Everyone fell silent.
The silence broke as noise was heard outside. It sounded as though an army was outside the wooden house.
"They're back!" Melry squealed and ran into the kitchen.
Terry stood up and Lina followed his lead.
Jenara came out of the kitchen, worry written all over her face. Melry came in behind her mother, scared.
They went outside and Lina saw trolls surrounding the house.
Were they after her already? Lina thought.
A man came out of the herd of trolls.
"Greetings to you, Jenara," he said to Jenara, she didn't answer him.
"What do you want?" she asked. "It's not the end of the month yet, you shouldn't be here."
He smiled and said, "Oh, I'm not here for that, Jen." He said and looked directly at Lina. "Lina Inverse I presume."
Lina narrowed her eyes. "Who might be asking?"
He smiled wider and bowed. "Oh how rude of me not to introduce myself. I am Barian." He straightened. "I was ordered to find you."
Lina glared. "So you found me, now what?"
"I capture you, of course!"
"And what if I don't let you capture me?"
"Then I do it by force," Barian said and smirked.
"Don't take me so lightly...Barian, was it?" Lina said.
"Oh I didn't. That's what these trolls are for." He snapped his fingers. "Get her!" The trolls growled madly and went after Lina.
With no effort at all, she produced fireballs and threw it at them. They flicked out of existence.
"I told you not to take me so lightly," Lina said coldly.
Barian smirked. "Right. Perhaps I did take you too lightly." He produced a long sword that seemed to shine even in the dark.
Lina readied a spell as he charged up to her. The family of three backed away.
Lina hurled the spell at Barian, he dodged and slashed down but Lina caught the blade with her hands, he pushed down harder.
With great speed, Lina let go of the blade and dodged the attack.
As Lina landed on the ground, she heard screaming behind her. She whirled around to see Barian's sword on Melry's throat.
"NO!" Jenara shouted.
"Don't move!" Barian demanded.
"Mama!" Melry shouted and struggled to get lose.
"Let her go!" Lina shouted.
"Haha! Not a chance, Lina Inverse! Surrender or else she dies!" Barian tighten his grip, Melry choked.
"Melry!!" Jenara shouted and moved forward.
"I said don't move!!" Barian shouted.
Terry held his mother back.
"Alright! Stop it! I'll go with you!" Lina said and advanced towards Barian.
I hope this'll work... Lina thought.
You think I'm that stupid, don't you, Lina Inverse? Barian thought.
Lina stood in front of Barian, hands slightly behind her back.
Just that moment, Barian shove Melry to Lina and they stumbled back. He jumped high above and threw a powerful attack at Lina and Melry.
Lina rolled over to the left, taking Melry with her.
"You bastard!" Lina shouted as Melry ran to her mother. But Barian was nowhere in sight. "Where did you go, coward?"
Lina sensed his power from behind and turned around. But it was too late for he stuck his sword into Lina's stomach. She might've been a Mazoku but it did give her pain. She crouched and spilled blood...purple blood.
"Lina!!!" the others shouted.
Barian smirked, looking down at Lina. "I thought you were more powerful than this." He kicked Lina, making her hit the tree with a thud.
"Stop it! Don't hurt her!!!" Melry shouted at Barian.
Barian eyed the little girl. "Hm...and what will do about it?" He picked Lina up by her hair.
Tears rolled down Melry's face. "Stop it or else!!"
Barian smirked. "Or else what?"
Melry raised her hands and shouted, "ELMEIKIA LANCE!!!"
"What the?" Barian dodged the attack, having to let go of Lina. He stood in front of the three. "You've become a nuisance, girl! Die!!" He raised his sword and slashed down.
Melry screamed and shut her eyes tight.
"NO!!!" Lina shouted, struggling to stand up.
"MELRY!!!" Jenara shouted and put herself between the deadly sword and her daughter.
The sword slashed through her stomach and she fell.
"MOTHER!!!" Terry shouted and ran to his mother's side.
Melry opened her eyes and stood frozen. Tears rolled down her face rapidly.
"MAMA!!!!" She shouted through tears.
Lina clenched her hands and stood up.
"Mother, mother wake up!" Terry begged.
"Mama, please wake up..." Melry held Jenara's hand tightly.
Jenara gasped. "I'm...so-sorry..."
"Mama! Mama, get up! You-you'll be okay..." Melry choked.
Jenara gave her children a sad smile. "...I-I love you...both......" Her hands became limp as she took her last breath.
"MAMA!! NO!!" Melry shook her mother's hands. "WAKE UP!! MAMA, WAKE UP!!!"
Terry shut his eyes and clenched his hands. He led Melry's face away from their mother's corpse and held her tightly, she sobbed into his shirt.
Barian's laughter was heard. "Touching. She shouldn't have interfered. It WAS her fault." He stood casually with is sword point on the ground.
Lina lifted her head. "You bastard..."
He turned to face her and smirked again.
With incredible speed, Lina was by Jenara's body in an instant and knelt down.
"I'm so sorry..." Lina whispered. "This was all my fault...I shouldn't have come into your sweet home........." She wiped the blood off Jenara's face.
Abruptly, she stood up and glared daggers at Barian.
"You'll pay, Barian..." Lina hissed.
"And how will you make me pay?" Barian asked mockingly. "As I recall, you were getting beat by me."
She didn't respond to that but instead lift her hands up, forming something black in her hands.
"Oh, I wonder what that is?" Barian laughed and spat.
"Go to Hell where you belong!" Lina sneered and threw the spell at him.
It rushed to him with incredible speed and caught him off guard.
"What the hell?!" He shouted and tried to flee from the coming attack and failed utterly for the spell swallowed him up whole. He screamed as the spell consumed his body and altogether he disappeared with the spell.
She looked at the two siblings, sobbing in each other's arms.
Lina knelt down and whispered, "I'm so sorry..."
They didn't respond. Lina went to Jenara's body and chanted.
Light hovered over the body and covered it up. Terry looked at his mother's bloody form changed into a corpse with no blood at all. His mother looked as if she was merely sleeping.
Lina turned to look at him. "Do you want to bury her now?"
Melry sobbed harder.
Lina's expression was cold, Terry noted mentally. Of course, it must be because she was a Mazoku. Terry gave a slight nod and stood up, helping Melry up as well.
"It'd be best to do it now," Terry said.
Standing there and looking at their mother's tombstone was not a pleasant thing to do. But for some reason, the two siblings can't seem to tear their eyes away from it. Lina had used her magic to dig a hole and they all helped set Jenara's body in place. Now she stood looking at the setting sun with an emotionless face.
Terry felt a tug on his hands and looked at Melry. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"What will we do now, Terry?" She whispered, tears threatening to come out again.
"I...don't know..." Terry replied.
"You shouldn't stay here."
The two turned to look at Lina.
"It won't be safe to stay here," she stated.
"Why?" Terry asked. He didn't want to leave his home. Memories were there, happy days, sad days, all were there, in the house itself.
"They will come back," Lina said and turned side-ways.
"Who...will come?" Melry asked.
"Everyone and everything that wants me in their hands," Lina replied.
"But what does..."
"That have to do with you?" Lina finished for Terry. "A lot. Since you've seen me, everyone will want to know where I went. And I know that some of them will do anything to make you tell them where I am."
"But we won't know where you will be," Terry said. "You'll be far away from us and who knows where you might be."
"That's true but they won't know that you're telling them the truth," Lina said. "I'll take you to a town and you can stay there. Maybe you'll be safer there."
They didn't reply and Lina continued. "I know that this is too awkward, but I think we should leave as soon as possible." They nodded and went into the house silently. Lina stood watching the last of the sun dip into the horizon. She wondered if she done the right thing about taking them to another town. Will they be safer there? Hopefully. Lina stood silently as the siblings came out of the house each carrying a bag.
"Let's go," Lina said and went westward.
They followed silently, looking back one last time at their home they might not come back to and their mother they will never see again.........
Okay, this part doesn't make so much sense to the story...are you people still baring with me? :) If ya are, please keep in mind I don't know much of big vocabularies nor do I know how to describe scenes so well.... 'o' sorry....soooooooo...please read on!! Please???