Chandra Alerann's Story

Hands so delicate reached out to gently caress one of the petals of a recently bloomed white Daisy. It was a beauty in its own terms. During that time, a lone butterfly fluttered towards another nearby bloom. It seemed unwary about the presence of a creature much larger than it. A small smile could be seen on the face of this person and the fingers which softly touched the petals went to the butterfly perched proudly on the vivacious red flower. In that instance. the butterfly flew to one of the fingers and landed there. The smile widen a bit more at this simple show as a song continued to play through the area filled with flowers.

The melody continued to envelop the field of seemingly endless flowers. Its mingling scents filled the air with such a unique fragrance as the breeze passed through the many blooms. However, the most noticeable of them all was the lone figure standing at the center of the field. Hair of cherry red much akin to the petals of a rose. Ash green eyes that could be compared to a shy sprout of leaf. A frame so similar to an elegant and slender stalk. This should be known as a flower yet, it was a human, a female without doubt. More specifically, the owner of such a beautiful field. She stood there while on her finger was a butterfly elegantly perched with no care. Her lips were moving as if speaking however, it was more right to describe it as singing.

Once the song had ended, the butterfly crumbled into dust. The smile turned into a firm line yet, those eyes gleamed with a certain understanding. The fate of such a fleeting creature had been left in the shroud of mystery. In any case, she turned to look at the blue sky as her hand returned to her side. It seemed that this day would be a good one. Although, she would not have minded some rain for her flowers. It would save her the chore of watering them all together. Releasing a sigh, she went towards a small shed and took out a watering can. This would have been easier if she was a water mage. However, she was not. Thankfully, water was a lot in this nation. Well, it would be odd if it wasn't.

"Chandra! Good morning!" Raising her head, Chandra, as she was called, looked at the one who greeted her with such bright energy. It was one of the boys in her town, named Eddie. The man would often helped her in these mundane chores of her. Yet, she was not certain why would he do such a thing for her. Perhaps, it was because he was someone she could describe as a childhood friend. In any case, she did not mind as the job gets done faster than she could alone. Smiling, she waved her free hand to him.

"Good morning, Eddie! How was the hunt?" Eddie did not waste time to approach Chandra. He had already took the watering can from her hand. Her smile did not waver as he already took the initiative of filling the watering can. "It was your average catch. But, the boys and I will be going further into the forest. Some say the biggest game lurks there." She nodded thoughtfully as she took out a much smaller watering can. Whenever he was around, he would not allow her to carry such heavy things despite her complaints. "I see, but be careful. I know its your job and all. Still, it makes me worry especially when you won't come to me for medical attention." After stating that, Eddie scratched his head in a manner a guilty person would do.

It is well known that Chandra was a good herbologist and can treat injuries and ailments. However, the people dread going to her. This is because of her peculiar habit of smiling with sublime pleasure of seeing someone suffering from pain especially with fatal wounds. Although, the recovery rate of the patients is increased in an unprecedented rate. Eddie also fear being treated by her due to this. "Well... You scare me when you try to treat me... It's like you want me to get hurt more." She looked at him incredulously and pouted. "That is absolutely not true. But, I do appreciate it if you would come in with really horrible wounds." Her statement ended with a sweet smile that only made him shook his head in disbelief. Somehow, it does not fail to amuse him with this odd trait of hers. Anyway, he should change the topic. The matter about getting hurt does not bode well with him. In addition, he had something he was meaning to ask her about anyway. "Hey Chandra, have you ever thought of returning to the Earth Kingdom? To your homeland? I have heard that everything is settling over there."

There was a moment of silence when that question was asked. Chandra continued watering the flowers on her side as she faced him with her side profile. Her eyes of ash green were hidden subtlety by her bangs. As such, emotions could not be perceived by anyone. Her face seemed unchanged as her gentle expression remained. At the same time, Eddie could not tell if she was even bothered by such a question as nothing changed from her form. She then lowered herself to the ground and gazed at a flower with her head tilted to the side. "There is nothing else there for me. I have everything I want here." Gently patting the flower like a lost kitten, she then looked at Eddie with a cheerful smile. "Isn't that right?"

Tergiversation had never been an integral machination to the Tyrfing's disposition or even to the evanescent fancies that he seemed to invoke without much of a solicitude towards other existences in this world that the Gods seemed to have abandoned in forlorn. His gait was steady along with unyielding steps that kissed the earth floor as he traversed the road which he took without any symbolic meaning to it. Yet if one had closely observed him from the very beginning of his journey, there was a negligible care in his stride. Could it be possible that he had show such manner due to the creature whom he had granted the title as his food? This said creature in the guise of a prideful yet broken Kitsune who had followed the intangible being veiled with the scent of night had chosen to repay this undefinable savior based on a flawed perception of debt.

No matter what the conclusions for this trifling development, he never looked back or called the attention of his newest stalker. He moved on as if there was a definite purpose to every land fall of his feet. Ignoring the fox spirit's accompaniment, he did not even acknowledge the boy when it was once more time to sleep. Creating his own resting place, he did not bother inviting the Kitsune. Peculiarly at the same time, he did not also dissuade the creature in debt to share a lodging with him. Such events continued on in the span of travel to the next town. It would not be described as a mundane activity between the two creatures who has a bond that had been orchestrated by the humor of the universe. However, this monochromatic tale would gain another color as the town came within sight.

A nauseous feeling of grief filled this hamlet that was supposedly to be a bustling locality in a distant memory of his. The eerie silence invited him to enter and he answered its call without a moment of a doubt. In distance, he could hear hushed murmurs and wails. There was also smoke rising through the air which could only lead to his one credence. A funeral was underway. It tickled his whim to join among the amassed grieving crowd as such he did so. Once there,his presence was noticed yet ignored due to the sorrow of passing. He gazed at the pyres that continually burned the now corpses of who were once beloved to someone. The pain of being left behind will never wane even as time progresses. Its sting will forever remain. As he could see it, there are a total of five persons being incinerated. The cause of death judging by the whispers of the talkative locales was a monstrosity lingering beyond the mountains.

Mortal hunters whom had faced a challenge that they inevitable lost. This was the strength and the ultimate flaw of humans. Their unquenchable belief in hope that will soon lead to certain despair. Xenith was not certain if he was sensing pity creeping within him or disgust as the stench of the burning corpses enveloped the winds. No, it was not like that. He was not feeling anything but the empty acceptance of how futile were those tears and deaths. In the end, it was meaningless and worthless. This was a certain matter that he was well-aware of for he had experienced it. The ultimate defeat which rendered him pathetic. Yes, he was pathetic and a disappointment. Although, he would never admit that to anyone but himself.

Quickly, he lost his interest and decided to move on. However, it was during his aversion from the funeral pyre did he cast finally a glance towards the fox spirit. The reason unknown as nothing of sort could reveal it even the eyes that had been said to be the windows of the soul. No words were spoken and it only lasted for a fraction of a second. For the attention of the Tyrfing had been taken by another puzzling scent in the distance. Dictated by his natural curious nature, he went towards it and time was not an issue as he reached the source quite quickly with his long legs. There he found a far fields of flowers of various kinds. Its heady scent embraced anyone who would come upon them. The oddity, there was also the lingering smell of a rotten flesh. It was hardly detectable yet there was no denying of its presence. Moreover, the thing which attracted him the most was the salty tinge much like the lost scent of his home.

It did not take long for him to notice that a person was there as well. A woman judging from its frame along with long cherry red hair, her back was turned from him as she seemed to be sitting on the ground. Even then, he could sense the faint scent of tears. Her shoulders seemed to tremble but no sounds of mourning could be heard. Still, it was evident that this woman was crying. There is a great chance that someone she cared was now being burned in that funeral fire. This scene reminded him of someone... He stood there much like a statue while looking down at her in silence. A strong yet gentle breeze passed by them. In that field flowers, the only thing that took his interest was the bloom which was wrapped with the scent of rot and salt. A peculiar combination yet it had pierced through his indifferent consciousness and before he knew it, words had already left his lips.

"Chandra... Something happened to Eddie..."

Yes, these kind of words were always the opener found in those sad, tragic, and sappy stories. Yet in the end, they were only words meant to express what had happened to someone. Feelings of melancholy should never be attached to them. This was what Chandra thought once upon a time. Until, it had happened to her out of the blue. One of the villagers sought her from the flower shop. Much of the words did not register in her mind, the only ones that hold meaning to her were, "Eddie... Killed... Sorry..." Even how she got here in front of the mutilated body of Eddie was a blank slate to her. She was not even aware of how she currently looked like. One of her shoes was missing from her feet. Dirt stained her clothes and even some had found its way to her face which suggested that she had fallen to the ground. Her hair was in a jumbled mess and the quick rising of her shoulders was evident of her breathing heavily.

A hand reached out at it touched her shoulder. Chandra did not react as she stood there with such a lifeless expression that could almost resemble those who are dead. "He always told me that he really liked you Chandra... That's why he..." The hand that held her shoulder fell. It was followed by a string of cries that were filled with distracting grief while another could be heard comforting the one crying. If she was correct, that was Eddie's mother who had spoken to her. So, he always liked her? Why didn't he tell her outright about it? What was the use telling her about it when the man who liked her was now lying on the cot dead. She could no longer respond to that feeling. Even more so, who would now help her with watering the flowers? She did tell him to come to her with horrible wounds. It did not mean that he was supposed to be a corpse. Eddie was really an idiot which was her first impression of him. But then, what was this wetness on her cheeks?

"We'll take them now. We have to ready them for their funeral." She was not certain if it was the Town Leader who spoke. But. it served as the sign for the wails and cries to increase in volume. As for her, Chandra stood there still until some of the men began taking away Eddie's body far from her reach. It was then she threw herself to dead body without consideration. The people were startled by the sudden turn of events. She held on to the body much like possessive child with his toy. "Chandra, what are you doing?!" One of the villagers asked in disbelief. "Don't take him away! Do'n t take him. His body is still here! He is still alive! Give him to me!" She declared in a shout. Another villager reached out to her but it was rudely reprimanded with a punch from her. She was not going to let go unless they forced her to do so. Even Eddie's parents had joined in to calm her. Soon, the problem was resolved but she was being hold back by a group of men while Eddie was taken away from her sight.

Once, Eddie was no more. A strange calm invaded her senses. Her muscles relaxed from the strain of her emotional turmoil. The people noticed this and loosened their hold on her. She then fell to the ground much like a sack of wheat. "We're sorry Chandra... Please accept it, Eddie's gone." It was then she finally recognized the wetness on her cheeks. She was crying and it would not stop at all. Standing from the ground, the people gave her space and offered kind words. However, they were nothing more but annoying buzz to her ears much live a hovering fly. She left the area and decided to head towards her fields of flowers. Those withering yet beautiful existences had always brought her a comfort unlike any other. Now, she needed that soothing essence they give her more than any thing else.

Reaching her fields, she plopped down herself at the center and sat there looking at the ends of her fields with such empty eyes. She may appear to be looking but she was not seeing anything but the hazy blur of her tears that continue to fall. Chandra was not certain anymore how much time had spent since then. The faint scent of smoke reached her nose that suggested the funeral had begun. Yet, she remained her in senseless grieving. She was left behind once more. How ironic that she was incapable of doing anything else but to stay behind. If it was going to be like this, she was nothing more than a wretched existence.

"Will you take revenge or wallow in senseless guilt."

Slowly turning to look behind her, Chandra found a man. Well, she was not even certain if that noun fitted this being. For he appeared to be a canvass created in perfection, so much perfection that emotions were not needed. But what struck her the most were the words that left his mouth. What shall she do now? Will she continue on as if nothing happened? Will she just forever lament? Will she forget about him? Lowering her gaze to the flowers beside her, she had always done one certain thing in her life. "I cannot solve this by doing nothing anymore..." Standing from her position, she looked at the mysterious creature that appeared before her. He was like a harbinger of death due to his black ensemble. In any case, "Are you the devil? Are you going to offer me a contract? Then I accept." She reached out her hand to him as if to enter a handshake used for business deals. "Lend me your power to kill that monster which took his life. Then, I am yours Mr. Devil."

"Just this once, then."

Those were the words of the one she had come known as Mr. Devil to her request. Now, Chandra stood before the dead carcass of the beast which had taken the life of Eddie. This particular creature had a name. If she recalled, it was a Chimera. The heads of a lion and a goat accompanied by a snake for its tail. It was a harsh battle she would admit that. Her body was battered and bruised all over. Yet, the blood that covered her body does not entirely belonged to her. She was a terrifying sight to see. Hair of soft cherry red was now stained with blood. Clothes were soaked with the blood of the monster in front of her. If her appearance was not enough proof of the brutality of the violent altercation, the state of the dead beast should be enough. Its innards were scattered upon the forest floor and some splattered on to the trees and plants. The heads were torn asunder from their respective necks and ripped into strips of macabre design.

It did not take long for retribution or for the specific word revenge to take place. All was done once the rain began to fall from the sky. His part was now over and technically, all he did was to give assurance that no matter what happens the beast would die. However, he never gave his word about her safety or provide help in the heat of battle. Well, it seemed that the girl was more strong than she had let on. Looking at the current situation, what had persuaded the Tyrfing to participate in such a meaningless activity. There was nothing to be gained and this was not a matter for him to interfere in. The answer was that curiosity had once more gotten the better part of his personal discretion. As such, Xenith accepted the whimsical contract created from pure fantasy and helplessness of a depressed girl. Now, he stood on top of an overlooking hill as his eyes gazed toward the setting where the girl's dream began and had come to an end. Not minding the fact that the tears of the sky continued to pour down on him.

Underneath her feet, a pool of blood had begun to seep. She really could not care even more so at her current appearance. Instead, she raised her hands before her eyes and looked at them with empty eyes. They were covered with blood. She was not certain if they were all from the Chimera or also a bit of hers as well. "I like your hands, Chandra. They're beautiful..." Yes, Eddie did tell her that once. She scoffed that remark but, it was something she had prided herself with ever since. "Will you still like them? I think you would be disgusted, right?" An empty laughter echoed through the field and then the rain fell as it gently washed away the blood and gore from her hands. "Are you crying over me? You're an idiot... I should be.... the one..." Ignoring the muddy soil, she found support on one of the nearby trees. Her back slid over the rough bark and then she sat there allowing the rain to take away every evidence of her hatred and guilt. "Take it all away... even me..."

"I cannot allow that. You are mine now."

Despite the abundance of blood around him, the beast of starvation did not even made a sound within. Perhaps, it was because he was full. Whatever the case may be, he had no reason to blame his sense of smell for coming before the broken girl. For a human, she was an impressive earth mage he would give her that. But right now, she was so pitiful and pathetic. It reminded him of a certain Kitsune who he had saved from death due to a whim. Speaking of which, he wondered where that fox spirit could be. Well, he would see that Kitsune soon enough.

"That is your contract to this Mr. Devil."

His hand was placed on the tree's trunk while the other one was secured inside his pocket. In that position, Xenith looked down on her with those silver eyes of mystery. He was also drenched by the rain but it did not dissolve the illusion of his beauty. More like, he belonged with the rain. His intimidating form somewhat become a makeshift umbrella for Chandra. If this was intended or not, it was better left to the gods.

Did the rain stop? Chandra looked up and saw the Silver-eyed Devil who secured her revenge. Still, she must be hallucinating because he seemed more like a Dark Angel to her. The one who would take all her sins and sadness away with those mysterious eyes that were piercing her. She remained unresponsive as the toll of the body on her battle and the fatigue finally took over her. The adrenaline that she had before was now gone. Nevertheless, the words that were spoken despite the sound of the falling rain echoed clearly to her. "Ah... yes, I remember." Then, she smiled with much relief. "So, I'm going to hell now... How lame... Mr. Devil, will I be able to plant flowers there?" Her eyes slowly closed and her words becoming soft whispers. "Mr. Devil... Thank... you..." She had finally succumbed to the lure of sleep as she laid there with somewhat a peaceful look to her.

Xenith was not certain of this girl's sanity. She asked him about hell being feasible to planting flowers and then thanking him. After all of that, she falls asleep with a face of pure ease. She was truly an odd human. Well, he could say the same to himself. He had saved a broken Kitsune and now helped a wretched human. What happened to his sole journey of no destination? Well, he had nothing better to do. Thus, he scooped the girl into his arms and walked away as the rain continued to fall down much like the curtains closing on them for now.