Chapter 2

Shaken by the disturbing noises he heard throughout the night, the old innkeeper, who went by the name of Henru, was filled with delight when dawn's early light began to fill his kitchen with color and warmth. It was like an old friend coming to greet him, to tell him everything would be alright.

Gods knowing with these new tenants and all, he could use a friend, he thought to himself. His enthusiasm for the day was diminished slightly as he let out a sorrowful sigh, "Who are these two anyway?" He whispered to himself while his hands were tending to the stove.

His bony fingers played rigorously over his wooden spoon, which was in the process of preparing the morning meal that had been taught to him many years ago. One such recipe, in fact, that made his inn the talk of town in its heyday. Pancakes, the very thought of the wonderful pastry improved his spirit. Nobody makes them like me, or so that pleasant girl Shraki always used to say.

The spoon stopped in mid-motion as Henru recalled a fond memory. That girl was always cheerful and appreciative, although she would never admit it; she used to always help me with my chores when I was out on an errand.

He slowly poured the batter onto the griddle, and turned his attention to the morning bacon that was filling the room with its pleasant aroma. Within moments the meal was ready and to Henru's slight amazement, his two tenants were already awake and took his food readily.

While they ate, he walked to an unused table and within moments of seating himself, began to drift off into the namesake of his inn. The tranquility of the room unfortunately was broken by a commotion outside the door.

"What do you mean?! This man has paid all of his debts, and then some! The emperor has no authority within this area!"

"Oh and I suppose you have the authority to spy on his majesty whenever you damn well please?"

"Now see here, I was not spying on the Emperor, and just so we understand each other clearly-."

The female voice was cut short of her speech and soon after, the sturdy oak door exploded into multiple fragments sending a youthful female hurtling through the air with nothing more than a table to cushion her fall. Attempting to recover, the girl leapt onto her feet, but her erratic landing suggested that she sustained a fair amount of abuse from the attack.

Through the clearing debris came a creature that could only have been given life by the demented god of destruction, Set. He was massive in size and in stature with midnight blue skin that was rippling with muscles, and etched upon his powerful chest were luminescent green markings that, like his eyes, glowed with an unholy light.

His face was long and bearded; he held a great resemblance to a serpent demon. He had a nose made of two small slits where one's olfactory organ would normally be located, and had two protruding horns from his forehead.

In a thundering voice filled with malice he spoke, "I don't take orders from ignorant young saps, and furthermore…I shall enjoy watching you die."

The aberration began withdrawing his Katana from his elaborate belt, the girl assumed a defensive stance of the ancient martial arts, glancing at her adversary with unmatched determination. In response, the warrior immediately unleashed a flurry of violent swipes that clove three nearby tables into splinters, with girl the dodging each stroke by mere centimeters.

Unfortunately, she wasn't as lucky in evading the fierce kicks which connected with her gut. It was during this aggressive battle that Henru managed to crawl to his clients' table and began to tug on Mia's cloak.

"Please! Help her!" he pleaded. No response came from the dark-haired woman as her green eyes surveyed the battle that was transpiring. "Please, she will die if you don't offer some assistance!" Henru requested once again.

"She got herself into this fight, let her be the one to end it." Mia replied quietly.

The insidious being took another swipe at his intended victim, but she leapt forcefully to her right, balancing herself on a chair. Thereby successfully delivering a series of rapid blows to the creature's face. Staggering, but far from beaten, the monster slashed at the maiden. Her balance faltered, driving her to the ground with a loud thud.

Witnessing this turn of events, Henru, in desperation, threw the small pouch of money that was offered to him into Mia's face. "I don't want your foul coin, for no amount you could ever give me could compensate me for the tormented screaming I heard last night. If you wish to pay me for my trouble, then I suggest you help the young lass out. Balber knowing that you are more than capable enough!"

Mia threw a perplexed glance at the old man, and looked back to the battle that raged between the combatants. Whatever this creature was, he was muttering something to the effect of crossing the path of the dark spirits, and bringing his swords above his head in preparation for a coup De' Grace.

"Are you absolutely sure about the girl? Your inn has sustained a fair amount of damage that could be costly to you," said Mia in a distant voice.

"I don't care if it burns down in front of my very eyes. Please, she is one of the only people who have been kind to me…" The creature's blades gleamed above its head. "Please… save her."

A baleful roar escaped the dark being's lips. The blades lanced downward for their killing blow, the young maiden clenched her teeth in hope that it would end painlessly; yet there was nothing but the ear-splitting clang of metal against metal within the inn.

Keeping the Katana from entering the girl's anatomy was an ebony blade. The two individuals glared into each other's green eyes, as if they were exchanging their own threats and vows that were yet to be enacted.

Withdrawing his blades, the creature let a wicked smile spread across his misshapen face. "Ah, the wielder of the great ebony blade, your deeds are well spoken of among the abyssal realms. For one that possesses much vengeance, you deserve to know who I am. My name is respected by all who witness its usage in great deeds, and one that the gods themselves will soon learn to fear. I am Okobo." The creature said in his reverberating voice.

"Leave, Okobo, for there is nothing more here for you. Unless you really would like to know just how "great" this blade can truly be."

With his eyes narrowing he hissed. Sheathing his blades, Okobo turned around slowly and walked out of the inn.

Although his monstrous form was no longer to be seen, his voice - although distant - it didn't lose its potency as he shouted, "You do realize, Mia, our separate paths will lead into one someday, and when the time comes, you will have to look to the night or never find your way back."

Mia stared out of the shattered doorframe for a while, and being fully sure that Okobo was truly out of sight and mind, she began to relax her combative stance.

"Jerk," mumbled a voice.

Spinning around Mia noticed the young girl whose life she had been goaded into saving. Despite the fact that her face was covered in bruises and bleeding profusely from a gash on her forehead, she managed a weak smile. She was slightly small for a girl of her age and had a face that reflected great youth, complete with freckles that dotted her cheeks.

What was unusual about the dame was not only the fact that her sandy red hair constantly looked windswept even after the dramatic struggle, but her eyes were two completely different colors. One was a light grey that had blue speckles around the pupil, whereas the other was as green as northern pines, that was speckled with orange flecks. To round out her eccentric appearance, the girl's lips were a shade of turquoise blue.

Henru helped the maiden to the only remaining table within the inn and began to tend to her numerous wounds. Smiling warmly the whole while, the girl tried to speak in shallow breaths. "Thank…You…for saving my life I…" the girl took another breath, "owe you one. Is there any way I can…help?"

Mia grabbed the moistened cloth Henru prepared, and pressed it hard against the youth's arm wound. Noticing that it hurt, Mia pressed it harder into the girl's arm, which induced a moan from her. "You would do well not to get involved in fights beyond your skill for starts." Mia began. While Henru was busy tending the maiden's ankle, Mia hissed "Do that to me again and I will see to it that I personally remove your head from your shoulders."

The girl flinched, but glanced into Mia's eyes and smirked. "Fair enough… and seeing how I feel…so close in our relationship…I… can safely share my name with you. My name is Shraki, and dare I ask what your name is?"

"Mia."

"Not exactly the social type, are you? That's fine, in a cold distant kind of way," said Shraki, trying to keep the conversation alive.

"Look. Shraki, what did Okobo want from you? You must have done something to spur him on," said Mia.

"Okobo? To tell you the truth, I have no idea as to what he was ranting about," said Shraki with her grin blossoming.

"He claimed you were spying on the emperor, if there is some merit to that creature's statement, I should have let him finish you off."

"Spying, no," began Shraki, "but investigating, yes. My sensei gave me specific instructions to investigate the source of the emperor's power. You see, any civilized region who dares oppose his rule was faced with terrible events; usually it is in the form of famine or plagues."

"Could be the wrath of one of the many deities that populate the heavens," interjected Mia.

"True, but there have been occurrences that, well, suggest otherwise. We're talking flaming spheres raining down from the sky and other situations that borderline on cataclysmic."

Mia considered this for a moment, "True gods are more subliminal with their abilities, but how can you be sure that the emperor himself doesn't possess some kind of magical ability?" asked Mia.

"My sensei and I looked through the old records and there is no account of any magical bloodline through the royal family history. That is, from what we've uncovered," replied Shraki, with slight uncertainty in her statement.

"So you are assuming the emperor is using some mystical means to keep his power at the expense of the average citizen?" asked Mia in an accusing tone.

Shraki shrugged, "More or less. Listen, I knew what to expect from these rich and influential types, but as far as Okobo is concerned, I haven't the foggiest notion as to why he knew about my mission or more importantly: why he attacked me like that."

Mia glanced out the window of the inn hopelessly, and fixed her gaze back onto Shraki.

"Look….I mean… I can't do this on my own. And seeing how you saved me once already, it would be asking for much…" Shraki paused for a moment not knowing how to form the question she obviously wanted to ask.

"What is it, Shraki?" snapped Mia.

She decided that bribery would be the best course of action. "I'm sure my sensei would reward you with any knowledge that you seek, for he is one of the wisest men I know. I'm sure he can give you guidance and advice to whatever goal you have in mind. But..."

"But, we must help you in order to receive this aid. You're right, it is asking for much," began Mia. She nodded to her partner who was listening and observing the conversation the whole time. "But we'll consider it."

Mia looked back to her companion who sat at the far end of the last remaining table, and knew that he had already made up his mind. The girl would be granted her help. Mia gave him her silent protest, and knew that it was to no avail. His head tilted slightly to the right and a boyish smile covered his face. She could not refuse him, and saw no harm in this act of compassion. Mia turned back to the girl and said in a voice that displayed her annoyance, "It has been considered."

Shraki's freckles began to fade and blend in with the reddish hue her cheeks now displayed. Her face lit up with a smile from ear to ear as she said in a joyful voice, "So then, you'll help me."

In her enthusiasm she began to bounce around forgetting for a slight moment the injured leg. The pain was soon recalled when she fell hard upon the floor. A small sound exited her mouth "Mmm," but she would not let the pain in either her leg or her bruised rump sully her joy.

The inn was now filled with a loud roar of laughter, everyone but Mia lent their voice to the jolly feeling. Shraki said in a voice filled with kind heartedness, "If we leave now we might make the naming Festival in Creto."

"Why are we going to Creto?" Mia asked absentmindedly, her attention was elsewhere, her eyes looking to the noon sky and she thought to herself that it seemed as if it were growing darker.

"Well, in my investigations, I found out that Creto is one of the cities that would not swear allegiance to the empire. If my hunch is correct then that's where the next disaster will occur."