The sun rested on the horizon of the blue sky. The blue light was fading from the sky being replaced by colors of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Out in an open area, a sea of tombstones stood proud. In this sea of tombstones stood a young woman with black hair pulled back, eyes of blue resting on one stone. It couldn’t be helped, right?368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiqFovPVM5
This just happened to be on her way to look for new flora to research. There was no real reason she had come to the place she most despised. It was still stupid to her for the living to visit petrified souls of the dead. The dead could not return. They could never return even if one person’s heart desperately desired one to.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoVFZjlaF6
She took a breath then exhaled opening her eyes to stare at the cold gray stone. It wasn’t going to change. He wasn’t coming back. “This is stupid.” Alisia muttered, turning sharply and made her way away from the grave. She had left behind flowers of blue and black roses, wrapped in paper which crinkled softly in the blowing wind.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE3YqtSCEp
It wasn’t like she cared. She did miss him but it was still a pointless act to mourn the dead. Somehow, no matter how hard she tried, she still felt herself mourning the loss of that family member. She hated it. It felt like an illness that would not leave and held no cure.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWa2Fr5SJb
Inhaling a frustrated breath she wanted it gone. Exhaling the growing frustration her eyes closed while her legs continued to carry her down to a flatter part of ground. She heard the sound of stone and dirt crunch under her boots. Her blue eyes reopened and, after looking around, began walking towards the north to search for new flowers. Flora was a sub-country known for its many types of flowers and plants on Indu’s side.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2EssyE46X
It was her job to research, find, and help create new plants that could survive their unique soil. Medical purposes were the main use for their plants. Another use was for decoration. It was exhausting work but was something she preoccupied her time with. She almost would do anything to keep her mind busy and focused on something other than the past.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JExGN8Z6H
Strapped to her back, hidden under a jean jacket and dark blue shirt, rested a holster. Inside this holster attached to her waist, resting on her jeans slept one of two silver revolvers. They had been gifts from her Grandfather and something she treasured the most. They were one of the few things she held so close. She had even shot her own family once with one for touching the other.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo17EbWOWTm
They felt like family, closer than family some had said. They were cold steel, unloving and uncaring. It was this that somehow felt like they cared. They couldn’t judge her. They couldn’t order her around or tell her what she should and should not be doing.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9fRXSULPW
Passing by some red lilies mixed with orange flowers called Carrot’s Flora. Seeing these reminded her of a nickname one of her sisters had given her: Red Moon Assassin. She hadn’t noticed her legs had come to a stop with her eyes set on the soft red and orange colors blowing to and fro in the wind. Flashes came to her mind of her a few short years earlier outside with her siblings, showing off her firing skills. They clapped and cheered at her accuracy.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3nA981UoA
It was after she shot down another can hitting its center was the words that rang though the static white noise. “You’re so awesome Alisia. I bet you could be a red moon assassin.” Her little sister’s voice said with a giggle in this memory. She could recall her response asked to why she would be a red moon assassin with a smile on her face. “Why that’s easy silly. Your eyes go red like a harvest moon when you are shooting off your guns.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrAvfckMdi
The echoing laugh from her sister and the agreement from her other siblings filled her ears. Her blue eyes closed a bit more still lost in the soft colors. “…maybe she was onto something there…” the words were very soft exiting Alisia’s barely moving lips. Forcing her eyes to break away from the plants she forced her legs to continue forwards. A slow numbness felt to be spreading through her body with the memory repeating in flashes.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKA9UhH54K
It wasn’t like a film reel now but more like pictures in a photo album. She had learned some about the Shadows Kiss. Now she wanted other flowers to attempt cross pollination. There wasn’t a lot she learned except the change in its petals and leaves as it acquired more light. She hadn’t figured out if there was medical benefit to the plant or not yet but was attempting to figure that out.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMpGMkWMDe
The sun continued to set as she continued on in silence eyeing around her surroundings for any signs of any flowers or plants she could use. She wasn’t positive of the full extent of the Shadows Kiss but wanted to know if there was some way of making it better. “Some of the rarest flowers should be coming into bloom soon. Most common are those in the daylight. Most rare are those able to feed off the moonlight. Isn’t that right?368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJsRZCdZJY
Her question was quiet and head tilted back to look up at the sky as she asked. Farther down the pathway she would come to a stop, following the pale glow from the moon on the landscape. Blossoms began to open their petals to take in the beautiful moonlight. Moonflowers, Bell flowers, Starry Lilies, Night Glories, Violets, and other flowers stood out to Alisia. Stepping into the ankle high grass she started to look over the different flowers hoping to find some to take back with her. This was to study and test for any new uses.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KiUz4bIbP
The wind blew softly while she carefully gathered some flowers. Using her pocket knife she removed them cleanly from the ground so she could transplant them. She ignored a stronger wind. Her mind was focused on removing enough of the Starry Roses thorns for her to have a safe space to grab. With the silence and noise of nature it didn’t take but mere seconds for Alisia to whip around while standing up when a branch cracked. She pulled one of her guns out aiming it in the direction of the noise.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3vPqofNqE
“Who’s there? Show yourself!” she snapped coldly pulling the hammer back. She didn’t care that her flowers freshly picked rested in a messed up pile at her feet. Her other hand reached carefully inside her jacket, under her shirt at her side to get her second gun. Nothing was going to sneak up on her and get the upper hand.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb79QoUshIa
When no one and nothing came out she was not pleased. She aimed her second gun in the same direction, clicking its hammer back. The cool night air made her skin crawl. That also could be due to the fact whatever it was that lurked hidden wasn’t coming out. Alisia tightened her jaw, eyes narrowing and gained a slight tint of red in the moonlight. “I said to come out, now.” Her words came as a growl with frustration at being ignored.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDhFc9110J
“Oh why the hostility?” a feminine voice inquired from a patch of plants around the base of a tree. “Don’t you want help? Your heart and soul seem to be crying for some time now. You poor soul.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRncBZqolHn
“I don’t talk to disembodied voices. That doesn’t make sense. You have to either be human or demon. You either come out or I’ll kill you then see what you are.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTSf0mbQ2P
“Aw such cruel words towards a friend. Very well, I shall show myself to you.” The female voice said with a sigh. Rustling sounds filled the air. Then into view came a fox with a coat as black as night and fire around its ankles to match. The flames though held some red and yellow as the coat appeared to hold some blue tones to it.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrbY9q0vZ0
Alisia hadn’t thought to see an animal. She was aware demons had animal forms or some were an animal with demonic abilities. This wasn’t what she expected and aimed her guns down at the beast. “We aren’t friends. I don’t have any friends that come from the filth that is the demon race.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZbvhBdWRG
“Oh so you denounce that side of your bloods tree? Very well. To each their own as they say.” A chuckle exited the fox’s throat. “Before you ask I was not spying. I simply came to answer the crying call of your soul and heart.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooioGteDRx
“It seems they are pleading for release and aid.” Replied the fox calmly, starting to wash her face with a paw. What was this fox meaning? She wasn’t aware of making any cries for release at any point in her life.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepe3v90qed
“Explain yourself, demon. What do you mean by you are here to answer the plea from my soul and heart?” Alisia’s firm words drew the fox to cease her washing and make eye contact. Her bright yellow almost orange eyes set on Alisia’s distrusting blue ones.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlIDsctx79
“It is as I said. You see, you call me a demon when I am no simple demon. Please take better note. Have you never seen a God before?” the fox asked almost with a sly tongue. Alisia didn’t know how to really respond to that.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2nEpwiMCh
She knew Gods and Goddesses existed based on what others had said. Plus it was the only way to explain how their world came to be. It also would explain how the land of death dividing the country came into existence. “I’ve never seen a God or Goddess with my own eyes. Why would you come to me now? I’ve never requested anything from the Heavens.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2v2xTaxto
“You must be daft. It is neither impossible nor difficult for a God, such as my-self, to hear the wishes from the mortal souls. Yours cries out for relief from its yearlong heartache. You did lose a loved one, did you not?” the fox’s feminine voice had grown softer as she spoke, slyer with elegant knowing eyes.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAowYCpZrb
Alisia held her tongue. This fox was right. She had lost someone close to her a year ago and it did hurt. That pain was why she continued to focus and work on her research. It was the force that drove her to work harder.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaNXHHYwfT
It was a force she used but after seeing the reflection of light in the fox’s eyes began to question herself. Could she sustain using it as a force for bettering her work and Flora? Would she run out of drive and end up messing up? Seeing the young woman’s shoulders tense brought a small smirk to the fox’s lips. It was working nicely.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSNDhpr6V7
She could see the gears turning in the young woman’s head. Her fox tail began to curl around her legs on one side then split into a second tail. The second tail curled around her legs on the other side. Both tails began to ignite in a slow rising flame. As the flames rose, the fox body began to shift and change, taking on the form of a lovely woman.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fLR8xao8Y
Flames fading with little sound left her standing clad in snug dark pants, dark red heeled boots with five buttons up the outer side. Her upper body held a white shirt resting under a bronze colored under buster vest. A final touch was a light colored jacket coming just past her elbows. Around her neck rested a thin chained necklace with a purple and green gemstone. On one wrist rested two bracelets which clanked together when she began walking towards Alisia.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwgQMDORsE
A final touch was her hair of dark brown, almost black, with four stripes of dark green. Two of the green stripes rested over her shoulder as the other two fell behind her other shoulder. Her yellow almost orange eyes were set on Alisia. Once close enough she reached a hand out to gently touch and lift Alisia’s fallen head by the chin. “I can make what you want come true. I can end that pain buried so deeply inside.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ49S0pKzC
“You don’t even need to do a thing except help me find a friend of mine.” The woman looking in her late thirties or early forties said sweetly. She was ensuring to keep eye contact. “I think that sounds fair, don’t you?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFIKnH7kcI
“But…how do I know you aren’t going to betray me?” Alisia asked. She felt the woman push her body closer, placing pressure on both barrels with her stomach. With the push Alisia’s arms bent bringing the guns closers to her body. This question brought an amused smile to pull gently at the woman’s lips from its straight line.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvsBbag2wj
“Would one who has the power of a God lie to you? Also if I planned to betray you why would I so easily leave myself open for pointblank injuries?” the woman asked quietly. Alisia had to admit to herself the woman had a point. Even if she truly was a God there was no way one would be so foolish.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCpbs6J62N
At least that was what Alisia was telling herself. Inside she hoped it was true. Even a God had to have their limits. After some moments of quiet the woman parted her lips to release her soft sweet voice. “Well? Do we have an agreement?368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHTHOsDmA5
“I grant you your deepest wish from the center of your soul. In exchange you only have to help me find my dear, lost friend.” It was stupid. Why was she even considering this woman’s offer? She didn’t even know what kind of wish was so deep inside.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZYa85leYz
One thing she wondered was if it wanted her Grandfather back. That sort of thing couldn’t happen. You couldn’t revive the dead and even if the dead could be revived they wouldn’t have peace. The other complication would be those who came to peace with the person passing. They would have to readjust to them being alive again.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zz6dENxpc
What else could be a wish inside her soul? She couldn’t think of anything else besides that. But that brought her to wonder, was that wish a surface wish hiding something deeper or was it a true wish? Thinking this over she began to ponder requesting proof. “…Can you show me proof you are truly a God?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJk6XhBkBE
The woman paused, a little taken by the question. No one on the other side or here yet had ever asked that when approached. This would be easy enough to prove. “I will prove to you of my word being true. To start with I know your mother is not as she appears, you have three siblings, and your prized guns were gifts from your late Grandfather. They are the most valuable thing you cherish.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TKxkBCful
“You also keep on you at all times three refills of bullets for your revolvers and clean them weekly if not every other week.” She was confident she just nailed it, not breaking her eye contact. Hearing all this at first did not stun Alisia but when the woman spoke about her two guns that did. That wasn’t something just anyone would know. Unless she told them or they witnesses her being given the weapons.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t0TaRQgR6
“Do you believe me now, dear Alisia Silverlight?” she asked with a smug tone. Gently sliding her fingers along Alisia’s chin down her neck, she felt and traced her vocal cords. One step then another she removed her body from the young woman’s guns, stepping behind her. She wrapped her arms around over Alisia’s shoulders, lowering her head to speak softly into Alisia’s ear.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2Qq800wLy
“What is your answer? I am a very busy person and I would hate to leave because another also has a loudly crying wish.” Her words were like silk and breath hot. Alisia wasn’t sure what to do. No one could have known except her family about the guns or about how many refills she keeps on her person.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33MdhfdxFs
Eventually Alisia finally swallowed staring ahead before lowering her eyes to the ground. Her two guns lowered to rest at either side. “…Alright…I’ll agree to your deal. But…can you tell me what wish it is you are hearing from my soul? I want to know before you start using any magic.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCpTnUbInF
“Trust me, you will be quite pleased. I can assure you.” The woman’s voice had lowered and held amusement with each word. “Just one tiny touch…” she moved her head behind Alisia’s neck, a dark shadow pushing her hair out of the way. At the base of Alisia’s neck where it met the shoulders the woman placed a kiss, leaving behind a dark tinted kiss mark.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozPoU1b6XE
“There we go. You’ll get your wish granted and I’ll even help you better your work.” Her voice never lost its composure. She then had begun to un-wrap her arms from the young woman. “I also have a gift for you.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWmjT6Hk8O
“You do?” asked Alisia starting to turn once the woman’s arms were off her shoulders.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK4HBkN4ko
“Yes and I’m sure it will help you. Try breeding this Tear Bell with your Shadows Kiss. I promise you will get something most magnificent.” There held out to her was a wrap of paper holding pale colored flowers. They were small like a Bluebell but their color was pale and strips of midnight blue, almost like veins, following from base to end of the petals.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kv6Hy1yzQ
“I’ve never seen a plant like that before…” she was stunned and carefully accepted the flowers from the woman. With eyes fixed on the new flower, the woman held a hand out using dark flaming shadows to make a bag for Alisia.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8OSsHKXCr
“And here is another gift for you, my dear friend. This should make it easier for travel with your flowers. It has a special lining enchanted to prolong the life of plants inside its fabric walls.” Turning her eyes up, Alisia was greeted with the sight of a bag. It was similar to a messenger bag but appeared to be crafted with a sturdier structure.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEiCDAFs18
“Thank you…um what’s your name again?” Inquired Alisia, finally, putting away one gun then the other. She started to feel embarrassed for holding the flowers with both guns in hand. It wasn’t until she was brought out of her awe she realized how uncomfortable her hands felt holding both the flowers and guns together. The woman was quiet, watching Alisia place the flowers into the bag and pick up the ones she had previously dropped.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtra5NrcN4
“Just call me Vixen Rose. I’ll be in touch later. Till then, I bid you the best on your research. Don’t forget our small deal.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoCdCPWj3M
“I won’t, don’t worry. I don’t forget deals or promises.” Alisia replied, putting the bag over her head so its strap rested across her chest.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokkOnI55KJ
“Then I bid you, adieu.” With the last words the woman who had stepped back placed one arm across her midsection. This lead into one foot going behind, crossing the other leg and she bowed to Alisia. Standing upright she locked eyes once more smirking. A powerful wind blew, sending up leaves and flower petals into the air.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5O5vO3JqY
It was so strong Alisia had to close her eyes looking away. Once it quieted she opened her eyes to look and see the woman gone. Was that really the right choice? She wasn’t sure but it was too late now. They had already agreed on the deal. Alisia would help the woman find her friend and the woman would grant Alisia’s deepest wish.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjlc8UpDp1
While making her way back home, it was down some ways when she felt a sharp burning in the back of her neck. “Gah what the hell?” she reached back swatting, thinking it was a bug only to find nothing there. “Did that woman…no she gave her word to not betray me. I’ve not heard of any stories about Gods that lie for self-gain.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KA5krLZgt
“Then again…” her voice trailed off glancing behind her shoulder. The burning started to die down then vanished. At least whatever it was had finished. Continuing on, it felt as if eyes were on her, only ending after she made it inside her home. It had been a long night and sleep sounded good.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtMGaXE8kM
She could start researching in the morning. Showing on the back of her neck, close to the middle of her shoulder blades rested a burn mark in the shape of a kiss. The ends of that kiss had started to spread out. Their slight extending and raising up looked to be aiming for a specific shape. The kiss became hidden after Alisia finished changing into her pajama’s and went to bed. Her mind thought nothing more about the burning sensation as it had remained inactive.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw02DSAsLar
