He sat quietly underneath the large oak tree. The mid autumn sun was beginning to set as his keen eyes focused on the tree line. The gentle breeze danced across his face and swept his dark brown hair into his sea green eyes. His left hand tightened around his long, dark bow as he saw a small shift in the dusk tinted landscape.
He slowly stood up, barely making a sound. His movements were fluid, one not gone to waste. His right hand glided back pulling out a long arrow from the quiver and the bright blue feather floated calmly at the end. His fierce eyes focused on the spot where a small brown blur froze. He stood perfectly still waiting for the right moment, as the large doe did not move, perking its ears, sensing danger. Suddenly, the doe spooked and dashed to the side leaping away. All sound around him muted, the only sound he could hear was the swish of the arrow as he knocked it towards the fleeing doe, and a loud thumping noise in the distance.
A small smirk fell upon the young man’s face as he slowly dropped his stance. He swung his bow over his shoulders as he ran into the forest line. When he entered, he slowed his pace searching for signs indicating which way the doe stumbled. He spotted a small, deep red puddle a few yards away and quickly made his way towards it. He crouched down, slowly glancing in every direction looking for another small puddle. He continued on the trail until he came upon the fallen doe. The young male smiled and bent down checking that the doe passed on. He stood up and whistled loudly into the air. The lively sound rang through the forest.
The once quiet forest erupted into sounds of movement, the crunching of leaves and snapping of dead sticks on the ground filled the air as men walked towards the origin of the whistle. The first man to appear at the sight laughed loudly and gripped the younger man’s shoulder tightly in congratulations.
“It seems ya never miss a shot Adien, ‘mazing,” he said as he inspected the fresh kill. Aiden just laughed softly and leaned against a near by tree waiting for their hunting group to show up.
“Tis the fourth kill today! Leave some for the rest of us, “ a young man said as he walked up. Aiden glanced over at him as he idly fiddled with his dagger and smiled.
“I would, if any of you could keep up with me,” Aiden said with a cocky smirk. The young man punched Aiden in the arm playfully as he walked pass.
“I would be careful Brax, ye know Aiden can have ya flat on ya back in 10 seconds during a sparring match,” another man said as he walked into the small clearing.
Aiden looked up into the treetops as the breeze started to grow stronger. The sun was slowly creeping below the horizon and the soft glow of night was beginning to settle. He frowned slightly and stood up. “We should get our kills back to camp. We needn’t stay in the forest any longer,” he said with a slight warning laced in his voice. The other men understood with a nod. Three of the men quickly prepped the doe for carrying and the hunting group made their way out of the forest.
There was a small fire lit in the middle of the their camp and three men that stayed behind to watch over surrounded the faint light. They stood, happily greeting their fellow hunters as they entered their camp.
“I think we have a good haul for the upcoming winter,” Brax said as he sat down next to his father.
Gavin smiled at his son saying, “That we do. We wouldn’t have ‘smany kills if it wasn’t for Aiden’s amazin’ archery skills.” He nodded his head towards Aiden in approval as he sat down next to Brax.
“You give me too much credit. The other men from the village made good kills also,” Aiden said trying to brush aside the compliment.
The sun had fully set and the two moons started to enter the night sky. To the south, the smaller moon rose slowly casting its dim white light across the land; and to the north the larger moon, given the name Aotsuko, gave off bright blue light that blended and mixed to create an eerie silver curtain that hung over the land. Aiden slowly leaned back against the log staring at the tiny diamonds that started to appear in the sky. He than slowly closed his eyes listening to the night sounds around him.
“Ye know Aiden, this winter twill be eight winters since ya first arrived at our village,” Gavin said carefully in a quiet tone. “Do ye want to share with us how ya came to our village..?”
Aiden’s whole body tensed for a few moments without speaking. Behind his closed eyes the broken fragments of memories flashed quickly. He opened his eyes to push away the images, and he glanced over at the man who had taken him into his house and raised him like his own son. “I don't remember,” Aiden lied softly.
Gavin attempted to control his face and he did not respond, just looked quietly at the fire. Brax glanced back and forth from his father to his best friend. He sighed than quickly stood up loudly saying, “Come on.” He kicked Aiden’s foot smiling brightly; his chocolate colored eyes shining excitedly.
Aiden glared up at him and did not make a single move. “Come on…where?”
“Just come. On,” Brax said as he grabbed his bow, quickly walking away from the camp. “Bring your bow,” he called over his shoulder. Aiden could not help must smile as he watched Brax depart from the camp’s delicate, warm glow. He knew exactly what Brax was planning. He grabbed his bow and ambled his way towards Brax’s retreating form.
Aiden sighed softly to himself when he got far enough away from the rest of the men, and instantly felt his body relax. He did not miss how everyone around them got quiet and stared at him, waiting for him to tell his story. A young boy coming into a village covered in blood alone was a scary thought for most people. To see it with a person’s own eyes is another issue. People were scared of him and feared what he could be capable of doing. Rumors started to grow and spread until they became an uncontrollable entity lurking in the shadows of everyone’s thoughts. Aiden frowned deeply as he continued to walk deeper into the forest following Brax.
“You know, ya could just tell everyone. It would stop everyone from creatin’ all these rumors,” Brax’s voice spoke softly through the silver darkness. Aiden stood taller as he faced Brax, keeping his focus on the dense forest around them.
“I enjoy listening to them, don’t you?” Aiden said as he pulled out an arrow.
“My favorite has to be the one of you being a Byari child born of the Ijin,” Brax said with a laugh. “With those green eyes, people were bound to start yappin’ even if ya hadn’t popped into town the way ya did…” Aiden didn't respond. He knew his green eyes set him apart from everyone. Green eyes were unheard of, online in myth and legends; legends that were always linking with demons of ancient times, the Byari. Aiden forced back a small smirk at the thought.
Aiden then froze as his sharp senses heard a very faint shuffle of leaves. He quickly readied his arrow and searched for the rabbit that made the soft sound. Brax also froze taken off guard by his swift movements. Aiden could see clearly into the silver mixture as he found the white rabbit and let his arrow fly. Brax shook his head stretching before moving.
“It’s amazin’ how good you see at night, but you missed the shot,” Brax said as they reached for the arrow. “You know, ya should do somethin’ normal for once. Like court someone. Leah has taken a likin’ to you...” Brax teased attempting to lighten his mood. Aiden glared over at him, narrowing his eyes, and did not comment. Brax laughed softly as they continued farther into the forest.
“Ready?” Brax said with excitement in his voice. Aiden slowly felt a smile appear on his lips. He gave a curt nod to Brax and at that instant both of them flew into the forest each taking a different direction.
Aiden quickly dodged between trees and bushes as he made his own path through the condensed woodland. He took joy in being able to release full force. He could out run almost every animal and every man in the village when he allowed himself to unbind the restraints he put around his abnormal abilities. He glanced around trying to decide the best route to the top of the foothills. As Aiden continued to sprint between large trees, images flashed hot before his eyes.
He abruptly stopped moving and stood breathing heavily. Small white puff of hot hair floated away from his lips as he tried to focus his eyes on the landscape before him. He shook his head and tried to push the bloodstained memories from his mind. He heard the faint whispers that floated through the silver tint, carried by the window in the forest.
You know it’s not the voice of…her. She does not exist, remember? he told himself deep in his thoughts.
But, you also know something deep down inside too, a deep voice said with in his mind. Aiden’s whole body froze and he could not breath. He had heard that voice before. He thought the voice went away the moment he escaped. Than the deep voice laughed menacingly. You honestly think you can get rid of ME? I am you.
“You are not me!” Aiden yelled loudly into the silent forest. Than the whispers stopped and the voice said no more. He slumped against a near by tree trunk trying to catch his breath. A single owl hoot resonated throughout the forest. He could suddenly see clearly and his head stopped throbbing in pain. Aiden took a deep calming breath and pushed himself from the tree continuing onward to his destination.
He blinked a few times noticing that everything was sharper and clearer than it ever was before. He tried to push aside the feeling that something was different, that his body felt wrong, as he started up a slanted hill that stood at the base of the mountain range. He paused listening for any hint of Brax.
I do not have time for this. I need to find Brax before he finds me, Aiden told himself in his thoughts. He tried to focus on their game. Aiden took caution where he placed his foot, trying not to make a single sound as he weaved between trees. When we was in the forest his body felt like water, freely and effortlessly flowing between trees and shrubbery. Not making a noise, he crouched slightly as he tried to stay hidden behind brush. Aiden fought back a smile as he caught a glimpse of Brax trying to sneak his way to the top.
Aiden very quietly pulled out a blue-feathered arrow from the quiver and placed a knee on the ground for support. He carefully took aim on the tree close to Brax’s right shoulder and shot. The arrow caught Brax’s right sleeve of his shirt and pinned it to the tree. He watched Brax jump from fright and fall stumbling to get away, ripping his shirt in the process. Aiden stood up laughing loudly.
“I found you! I win!” He yelled towards Brax. As he spoke, the wind picked up suddenly and there was a haunting laugh that whipped through the gusts. As the temperature quickly fell, he felt goose bumps start to form across his skin and his body start to shiver. Aiden froze clenching his jaw as he slowly turned around. His eyes grew wide when he came face to face with the same bright green gaze that he saw in his reflection every day.
“No, I found you!” the deep threatening voice whispered. Aiden blinked and the dark figure with green eyes was gone. He turned his head to the side to find Brax standing near him pale, looking petrified.
“Are you o-“ Brax started to say but abruptly stopped as he stared at Aiden. “Your eyes…” he breathlessly whispered.
Aiden quickly closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He calmed himself down immediately and tired to pull off a smile. “Can’t believe you fell for that,” Aiden said without missing a beat, pushing his bow behind his back. Brax stared at Aiden trying to read his expression, he than slowly shook his head trying to focus.
“You idiot! Ya coulda’ killed me with that shot!” Brax yelled remembering their game. Aiden faked a laugh and shrugged.
“Ready to catch dinner?” Aiden asked walking away. Brax studied him not answering as he followed behind Aiden.
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The pair came back to camp holding two hares each. Brax smiled triumphantly when his father walked over. Gavin just laughed and took the hares to skin. He gave Aiden an apologetic smile before he turned his back and walked back into camp. Excitement grew throughout their small camp at the sight of the hares.
Brax fell into step beside Aiden. “Ya know, he is only worried about you. That's why he asks. You are like his other son,” he said seriously. Aiden remained silent. Brax shook his head and made no move for further conversation.
Aiden sat outside the tent slumped against one of their bags that was discarded outside and stared up at the two moons high in the sky. Aiden always enjoyed watching the northern moon, he felt pulled to it.
“Did you now that the Aotsuko, didn’t appear until about three hundred years ago?” Aiden asked calmly. Brax paused what he was doing and glanced up at the bright, blue moon. “In history it says that the world went completely black and dark in the middle of the day. Like the sun had been burnt out. After 23 days passed, the run rose again and later that night two moons rose into the night sky. They called the new moon Aotsuko, because it shone blue, “ Aiden continued.
“I think you may have mentioned that name before,” Brax said as he continued to unpack his rucksack. “But, isn’t that round the time when the Byari were last seen too?”
“That’s what people say.”
“The stories about those monsters are terrible and amazin’ at the same time. It would be awesome to see them in battle. Purely amazin’ creatures,” Brax said.
“You would not be saying that if you were on the opposite side from them,” Aiden sighed softly still gazing at the moon.
Brax paused thinking. “Where did you learn all of that?” He asked breaking the silence.
Aiden shrugged it off and bluntly lied, “Heck if I know. Random facts you know?” There was another short pause and a calm silence between them.
Brax took a small breath and softly said, “Your eyes back there. They…were glowing.”
Aiden stole a glance at Brax, looking at him like he was crazy. “You were just seeing things. It must have been from the shadows or moonlight,” he said slowly looking back up at the sky. Brax stared as his friend trying to decide whether or not he was lying.
“With all of the kills we made so far, we won’t have to stay here much longer. The village will be able to last the winter without any problems this year,” Brax said trying to change the subject.
“It has been a good hunting season,” Aiden said in a monotone voice, not that interesting in talking. His eyes flashed to a few figures walking over towards him and Brax. Aiden slowly stood up holding back a slight frown that shadowed over his facial features.
“Aiden, we ah need to talk to you,” the taller, more muscular man stated with a slight grim tone. Aiden’s eyebrows lifted in surprise and gave a short nod before heading away from camp. He did not miss the fact that the man had not looked him in the eyes as he spoke. No one could look him straightforward in the eyes when they spoke to him. They were too afraid of the deep green sea they would find. Afraid they would lose themselves in the whirlpool of gossip they created.
Once they reached the outskirts of the camp, the large man stopped. “What did you need to talk about Darius?” Aiden asked slightly bored.
“While everyone was out hunting today, a cloaked man came askin’ for ya,” his words stung Aiden, getting his attention. “He said he had been to the village and they told him to find ya here. He didn’t look too friendly,” Darius continued.
“What did you tell him?” Aiden asked quietly. The other men looked from one to the other. Waiting for Darius to answer. The other men started to agitate Aiden. No one could come up to alone they were too cowardly.
“We told him that ya wouldn’t be back for ‘couple days. Told ‘em you were hunting large game in the foothills,” Darius said quickly. “He had green eyes like you! What ill fate have you brought upon this village?” Darius asked cautiously.
Aiden clenched his jaw and simply whispered his thanks and walked away with his fists balled up at his side.
“What was that about?” Brax asked when Aiden returned to their fire site. Aiden did not answer as he made his way straight for their tent and sat down remaining silent. Brax stood at the tent’s entrance watching him carefully. “Everything alright?”
“Everything is fine, you should get some rest. We leave in the morning to go back to the village,” Aiden said quietly starting to ready himself for bed.
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Aiden jerked awake quickly and sat up looking around the small tent for any signs of danger. He blinked looking down at his hands, seeing his disfigured reflection shine off the dagger in his left hand. He could see the faint, green glow that shone from his eyes. He quickly dropped his dagger and placed his throbbing head into his hands. Cold sweat glistened off his feverish body and a slight shiver ran up his shine. The whispers blew in the wind and rustled violently against the leaves in the trees and the sides of his tent. The voice was no longer soft and gentle, it was now a strong commanding tone. He knew he would not be able to deny the whispers and voices that called out to him much longer.
I told you that you wouldn’t be able to run from us forever, the voice said softly in the back of Aiden’s mind. You can’t run from whom you are. The past will always catch up to you. It’s walking up the dirt path right now.
Aiden took a slow shaky breath as he listened to the voice. His eyes widened, confused as he whispered in his mind, I know what you are…
Oh? Who am I? Who are you? The voice questioned. Aiden fisted his hair tightly in his hands attempting to push the voice out of his mind, but failed. Aiden knew what he was; he did not need the voice deep in his mind telling him. You do not want to answer me? You are a Byari, nature calls to you.
No! You’re the Byari, I am the human, Aiden told the voice strongly repeating the words attempting to convince himself. The voice laughed inside his mind, resonating through Aiden’s whole body. He could feel his eyes burning as the voice grew stronger.
Do not fool yourself. We are a Byari.
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