Chapter 7: Starting Truth
The next morning when Ginsu went to wake Alura she wasn’t there. This confused him and he scratched his head before starting to look around searching for her. When he would find her it would be out in the enclosed garden with a real sword, hacking at one of the thick trees with rage and tears in her eyes. Quickly it took Ginsu no time to enter and grab one of her wrists, stopping the movement of the blade without an ounce of trouble. She looked up to him, glaring hatefully at him and tried to pull her wrist free to swing the blade again.
“Let go! Let go now Ginsu!” Alura screamed, tears falling down her face and her breathing broken with her starting to cry again, though she tried to hold it in. He watched calmly though concerned by her sudden actions. Slowly he released her wrist while simultaneously kneeling down and wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. This only made her rage grow and to struggle hard for freedom, closing her eyes tightly. “Let go! Let go now! I’ll kill you!” she screamed with baseless threats, swinging the blade wildly to try and force him to release her. It didn’t take long before her actions quickly ceased once the sound of flesh to sword echoed throughout the quiet gardens. Her eyes shot open and her hands trembled violently as a dripping sound echoed through the air, the sight of a deep red pool blood beginning to form on the ground.
Through that strike and pain with the steel remaining in his side, he never once released her or tightened his grip, he simply held her close to comfort her with his eyes closed. “It’s alright. Calm down.” He said softly to her, finally speaking with slow easy breaths. This caused her to jump, gasping and start to cry again. This time it was from her harming him in her anger. She tried to bury her face into his chest only to feel him slowly release her. His hands were steady but his movements were controlled and slow.
Carefully he reached over and lowered a hand to place it on the hilt, twisting his fingers around the fabric covered metal for a secure grip. The Water God paused as he took a breath then grunted and winced as he pulled it out. The movement was swift and fluid to try to ensure a clean exit. This quick move however didn’t stop his face from twisting from the sharp pain. Upon its removal blood flew out through the air from both the wound and the cold steel, allowing droplets to land scattered on the stones. Alura’s face paled as he lowered the bloody weapon out from his side, the stained metal lightly scraping the petrified surfaces before coming to rest between two medium stones. In the silent and thick air the drips sang softly like raindrops falling to the ground from the blade, and from the end of his the side of his soaked shirt.
“Sorry.” She whispered as her voice cracked some with her tears. Her hands were closed and up in front of her mouth, feeling horrible for what she’d done as she had never harmed anyone in her life. Ginsu sighed, wanting to assure her he was fine but had to focus, making a mental note to ease her fear. He turned his eyes from the stones to his side soaked in the dark crimson fluid. It had gone deep and he knew this wasn’t going to be painless. Inhaling deeply through the nose then exhaling as his eyes closed, in a way focusing his mind so to do the mending correctly.
Ginsu placed a hand over the wound and hissed through gritted teeth, wincing when his palm touched the open injury. A soft light began to glow coming solely from his palm, first white then blue. He cringed as his eyes closed briefly before one reopened to watch the wound. Biting his lower lip firmly in pain to hold back a scream, he ignored the small amount of blood that was drawn from his lower lip, as slowly the wound mended its self. Alura couldn’t look away. Feeling disgusted by the sight of the blood she wanted to look away, yet her body couldn’t force her eyes away. What she couldn’t see was the tissues inside the wound stretching, stringing itself back together along with any veins or blood vessels and nerves, which had been severed or damaged. He knew it though. He could feel every move and reconnection, and it hurt like hell but he refused to scream, already not happy he couldn’t keep his face from twisting more at times when a sharp jolt of pain would strike.
It took about four to six minutes before the wound had finished closing. Blood was left both dry and moist on his person. Most noticeable was the weight pulling down the soaked fabric on the side of his shirt. The droplets on the ground had dried, giving a new tint to the normally pale stones, as well as adding a red stain on the silver blade. Alura still stood motionless, her body feeling frozen in place with her stunned and fearful expression, upset for what she’d done while apologizing softly every so often with a voice that was barely a whisper. Once the wound fully closed and he felt there was no scar he removed his hand as the blue light faded.
Carefully he removed his torn and dirty shirt, putting down the sword as he slipped the article of clothing off. He wanted her to see there was no wound and it was better. Slipping his clean hand into his pants pocket he withdrew a cloth, dampening it with water he wiped his blood off his other appendage. He didn’t want to scare her further with blood on his skin. Once done he dropped the red fabric on his shirt and softly touched the side of her face with his clean hand, smiling softly as he gazed into her sad eyes with his own kind ones. “It’s alright. See? All better.” Ginsu spoke in a hushed, gentle tone as if speaking to a frightened kitten. He softly touched her shoulder with his other hand, easing her to turn so now her back was towards the mess as he had moved to stay in front of her. With a soft touch he used his thumb of his hand resting on her cheek to brush away fresh falling tears. “It’s okay now, see? No more blood, no more injury.” He gently assured her and even turned to show her his once sliced open side.
Alura stared now in shock to see it was completely gone. Slowly and shaking she lowered her hands, reaching one out to timidly touch where once there had been opened flesh. It was healed and he wasn’t flinching under her fingertips. Sniffling she wiped her eyes and he softly removed his hand from her cheek so she could better wipe away the remaining tears. After she had calmed down enough Ginsu spoke quietly, keeping his voice caring and at ease, not wanting to entice fear. “Now…tell me why you were crying and so upset to use violence against a work of nature?” His voice shocked her. It had no anger, no hate, no tone of punishment but kind, soft, and gentle a forgiving tone like nothing had even happened.
Even though she knew Ginsu was level headed and easy going, it still was shocking if not jarring to not hear a tone of discipline from him. After all, she had taken a real blade without permission from the armory she found, and had been wildly attacking a tree to vent her emotions after Hiatsu had been finished with her. “….Hiatsu…he scolded me, telling me to give up after I started to question him about my father. He even slapped me…saying if I ever eavesdropped again he would lock me up and think of me as a spy. I know I shouldn’t have listened in when he was talking to Marizu, but I did. I heard my parents spoken about and I hid when Marizu left. Then I went back to see where Hiatsu was and he…he came out and dragged me into his room, and started yelling and snapping at me.” Alura spoke as clearly as she could, sniffing as fresh tears started to fall and choke her words in places.
Ginsu’s face fell and a sigh came from his lips as they parted. Softly his hand returned, his thumb brushing away her new tears. “Shhh, don’t cry. It’ll be fine. Trust me. I’ll talk to Hiatsu about it…” he paused then rephrased his last words. “We’ll go speak to Hiatsu about it and you’ll see he’s really not a bad guy like he pretends to be. He, for some reason, enjoys acting tough and bad, but really he’s quite gentle.” Ginsu gave a kind smile, chuckling behind his closed lips.
Alura watched, sniffing some with a hiccup then nodded, a small smile pulling to her face as she felt warm and better inside. She felt safe around him then, after hesitating, she hugged him tightly around the neck in thanks. He returned the action, firm but softly while rubbing her back and then softly pushed her back, continuing to be gentle. “Shall we go now?” Alura nodded with determination in her eyes now and he nodded in return, standing as he took her hand into his to lead her to Hiatsu’s room. She stayed close to him glaring ahead and was sure that Hiatsu would apologize with Ginsu with her.
They arrived quicker than she thought they would and he knocked, waiting until he heard a grunt for ‘come in’ and Ginsu entered first with Alura following behind him. He closed the door softly hearing it latch Ginsu turned his attention to the Fire God sitting behind his desk, working on some papers. “Hiatsu, can you tell me exactly why you slapped Miss Alura?”
Hiatsu grumbled under his breath, hating interruptions. “She was spying on a private conversation last night then came back to spy some more. She was probably never disciplined by either parent.” The redhead said coldly and didn’t even bother to look up from his papers, writing something down.
“Shut up!” Alura snapped without thinking. She was not going to let him talk about her parents being bad at raising her.
Hearing her sharp tone brought a frustrated growl to vibrate out of Hiatsu’s throat, his yellow eyes shifting to glare at the child from under his upper lids. “Girl if you dislike it here and my rules that I’ve had in place for centuries then leave. I do not care which way you do. If you decide to stay then obey my rules. If you leave, fine. Do as you wish.” Hiatsu snapped back with his head now raised to look directly at her, causing her to back down, feeling small in his presence under his dangerous stare.
Ginsu placed a hand on her back as he looked down and shook his head softly, before looking up at his brother. “She was simply doing what any child would do. Young ones get curious of what the elders speak about and so listened in. You have no right to speak to her without thinking of her feelings, and why she was listening in or questioning you.” The Water God tried to reason with his elder brother, trying to solve this diplomatically to get Hiatsu to see Alura had meant no direct harm. A small, soft smile was on his lips as he spoke those words, trying to lighten his brother’s tense mood so this could be sorted out without violence.
Hiatsu’s glare became firmer with every word that Ginsu spoke to him. His face began to look like it was hardening to appear it had been carved from stone, more than it had the first time she’d met the one in charge. “You wish to defend her? Then you are placed in charge of her.” Hiatsu hissed, zeroing in his sights on his water brother. “Her actions represent your actions. If she misbehaves you shall be punished for her. Agreed, Ginsu?” The darker tone in the Fire God’s voice did not sit well with Alura. It made her quite uncomfortable and uneasy about the now tense situation. She turned her eyes up to look at Ginsu, trying to get out the words she didn’t want him to get hurt because of her if she were to misstep.
Before she could utter a word Ginsu spoke up after remaining silent, his blue eyes narrowed like daggers on the Fire God. “Agreed, Hiatsu,” Ginsu spoke with an ice cold tone that sent shivers down Alura’s spine, having never heard him sound so cold and serious before. “With this agreement you will not lay a hand on Miss Alura again. If she is to break any rules or invoke your wrath, you will summon me and let her return to her room. Is this agreed upon as well?” Alura’s jaw dropped hearing those words of addition to the deal leave Ginsu’s lips. On top of the addition the sight of him not batting an eye or sounding to have second guesses in his serious tone, was also shocking to her.
Hiatsu was silent, eyes remaining on his younger brother then he spoke after a stiff nod. “Agreed, any misstep or mishap with Alura shall result in no harm or words to her. You will receive all of her punishment, physically without complaint and will take it all until dismissed, and that will only be once I feel enough force has been exerted to equal the crime.” Hiatsu waved his hand for them to leave and Ginsu turned, leading Alura gently out of the room.
Before Ginsu was fully out of the doorway Hiatsu’s voice caused his legs to stop. “A small warning, after being punished, you are forbidden to allow your duties to slip. If you let your quality of work slip then you will be punished again but for your failure to execute your job.” Once the warning was given with a heated tone, Hiatsu raised a hand then waved it, and the doors slamming behind them after Ginsu had fully entered the hallway. The loud thud was horrible as it echoed off the walls, fading into silence.
Alura after a moment’s pause turned to face Ginsu trying to read his expression, but found it difficult with guilt weighing on her heart. Now if she messed up just once or a small bit then Ginsu would be hurt because of it. She didn’t like that, not wanting to see the Water God who had been so nice to get hurt. “Why did you do that? Now if I do anything he sees as wrong you’ll be hurt because of it.” Alura said softly with small tears in the corners of her eyes, looking down she felt like she was about to start crying again.
Ginsu sighed then kneeled down and hugged her close in a soft embrace. He softly moved her back a step and wiped her freshly forming tears before they could fall. “Shhh, there, there it’s alright. You just stick with me. I’ll make sure you don’t do anything wrong to make him mad. Then no one gets hurt, alright?” He asked with a cheery voice, a smile on his face with closed eyes, trying to help her see it wasn’t going to be bad. She wasn’t fully convinced about this despite this man’s positive attitude. Opening his eyes to see her uncertain expression and doubt he thought over what else to add in to show it would be fine. “And…when you’re older….I’ll tell you about your dad.” He whispered causing her to gasp with her eyes widening in surprise. Quickly she closed them and hugged him tightly in excitement, unable to wait but would have to.
He let a soft chuckle reverberate out of his throat, returning the hug with a soft pat on her back. “Now then, want to go watch the guards train up close?” he asked while pushing her back gently, not losing his kind smile. She blinked taking this question in then a grin crossed her face and she nodded quickly. He chuckled quietly, standing and ruffled her hair some before starting to run down the hall. “Try and catch me then!” he called behind him, his words and actions reminding her of a little boy instead of a God. They always seemed the type to be stuck up like Hiatsu but Ginsu wasn’t like either of his brothers.
Coming to her senses she gasped and ran after him to catch him. “Wait up!” she called racing after him as fast as she could laughing. She liked him better this way: kind, fun, and friendly. She never wanted to see him so cold and serious again. To her, he was like a second brother or second father and she enjoyed it, having an older brother to protect her from those like Hiatsu.
In his room Hiatsu had not returned to working on his papers, his fingers laced to hide his lower face while he glared at the wall. His brother was foolish. He was letting a little brat have the say in what happened. She needed to have limits and boundaries or she would grow up spoiled. To add to this irritation was the simple fact that one brother was an asshole who killed those he wasn’t supposed to, and another who was too kind hearted with a habit of behaving childishly.
Inhaling deeply he exhaled through his parted lips muttering words quietly to himself in his empty room. “It doesn’t matter if she leaves. She’s important but we also have her brother that shares the same potential for greatness and aid to us. Ginsu better get his damn shit together. I hate to hurt family but if it will get it through her damn head then, so be it. If he wants to protect her and keep me from enacting discipline on the human, then he will need to suffer that punishment but in harsher force.” He didn’t want to. It pained him inside to think he may need to strike and injure Ginsu, but he would if needed to show he wasn’t slacking in being a leader.
Outside Ginsu shouted the orders and over saw the men’s training. They were quite good but in Hiatsu’s eyes could be better and Ginsu knew this well. Alura watched in awe and excitement from the sidelines at seeing how strong they were, and how fluid they were in executing their practiced skills. “How long have they been training?” she asked after seeing Ginsu had finished giving instructions, looking up at his face as she approached a few steps closer.
“Uh…let me see…about…eh….three months.” Ginsu answered, trying to give a rough estimate for how long the men had been training under him.
“Three months! Wow. They’re really good. What are they training for?”
“They are training to protect the people. When Hiatsu says they are ready they’ll be dispatched into the towns and cities to protect the people, from terror and danger.”
“Oh wow. That will make so many people happy. I hope they can help everyone who needs it.” Alura said with joy at the thought, envisioning the soldiers helping defend people from evil. This lead her to remember Flora, and her face to slowly fall. Like in Flora, She thought, silently remembering the day the soldiers chased her and her brother, trying to kill them. I hope mom’s okay. Her face fell a bit more with worry as she looked down at the soft grass under her feet. Ginsu looked to the soldiers before shifting his blue orbs over, glancing down at the girl and noticing her expression with body position. He sighed quietly, thinking of someway to help her out.
He could feel guilt settling into his gut. He didn’t enjoy seeing her shoulders slumped down or expression fallen to look so depressed and sad. Moving his eyes away he bit the inside of his cheek. He hated not letting her knew they could had intervened to help her mother at least but, if they had stepped in that action would had carried its own repercussions. What could he do to help her feel better? He knew what would make her ecstatic but it was something he couldn’t make happen without consequences for himself, and possibly her with her family.
Finally the sun began to set and the men headed back inside to their quarters. Ginsu stepped alongside Alura who walked about the grounds surrounding the palace slowly, as the evening bird began to caw out as it always did. It had been some minutes of silence as they strolled along. Alura kept her eyes down at the green grass and Ginsu looked from the sky to the horizon then her. Taking a breath he looked away from her, trying to figure out if it was safe to say anything. Putting his hands into his pockets as they walked, having a new shirt on of a blue color with gold embroidered designs and sleeves stopping at his elbows, he decided it couldn’t hurt to break the silence. “Are you thinking about your mother?” Ginsu asked quietly, receiving no answer so looked to see Alura’s eyes never leaving the ground.
He sighed looking up and scratched the side of his head. “…I guess I could help you out in being stronger…” Ginsu began slowly, now thinking of taking her seriously for training. Would that ease the blame inside, eating away at his heart and soul? Or would coming clean ease this feeling he has dealt with the most? “You see…” he sighed not sure how to word it right. “We…um….already knew of what Amoxious plan was. We already saw him head to Flora….and take it over.” Ginsu explained with hesitation in his voice. He was afraid she might take it badly and that concern was confirmed to him when he saw her body starting to tense, taking in each word to leave his mouth. “Your father wasn’t always a great man but…when he found your mother…he changed and was great to the very end. We…saw how the first battle turned out…and…” he drifted off, feeling a bead of sweat slip down the side of his face.
His words shortly after coming out caused Alura’s body to come to a complete stop in its tracks, the wind blowing warmly to move her hair to her side then as it died down, allowed it to rest back into place on her back. A tense silence lingered for moments that dragged on at a snail’s pace, feeling like minutes were flying by before she would speak in a low trembling voice. “…If you knew…why didn’t you do anything?” the words she spoke came out with spite and hate, now causing Ginsu to flinch and look away, feeling ashamed and he sighed not knowing what to say. He avoided looking to the girl now, not able to help feeling unable to look at her directly. There were reasons why he didn’t help stop Amoxious either time but would she believe it? That he didn’t help because of reasons within and outside his control?
Quickly her body turned to face him as her eyes glared daggers with tears at the corners and anger flaring within them. “Tell me! Tell me now! Why didn’t you stop him?! Why did you let my dad die?! Why did you let mom get arrested?!” she snapped in rage. “Answer me!” Alura screamed, stomping her foot as her fists clinched tightly so much her knuckles almost immediately went white.
Ginsu bit his lip, starting to rub the back of his neck as the guilt feeling got worse. He felt the temptation to point out her mother was only arrested because she had taken a necklace and hidden it, but he thought better than to do that when Alura was already so emotional. He didn’t want to be a huge asshole, even if that fact was the truth. If Alura hadn’t stolen the necklace then Amoxious wouldn’t had been able to have fuel to use for a fake item, and he wouldn’t have been able to get the guards to accompany him. “Because….” He took a breath, sighing out his next words after dropping his eyes. “When battle comes you are no longer a person, you are only a soldier, a tool and weapon to kill. You obey orders from those stronger than you. I had my orders to stand down and not do a thing when Amoxious invaded the first time and second time. I followed my orders to not stop him either time. Just like how I had orders to not step in when your mother was arrested.” His voice was soft with regret for following orders after knowing the outcome.
Alura found this hard to believe the more she heard. Wasn’t the reason for Gods was to protect people? Her eyes grew darker, colder, and her frame shook to try and contain her ever growing rage. “Orders?!” she snapped with her voice cracking. “Who ordered you to let people die and be taken over?!” Alura screamed loudly at the Water God who glanced to her upset face, then adverted his eyes once more. This was breaking his heart, knowing she wouldn’t like the answer.
Tilting his head down so to hide his eyes with his bangs, his shoulders tensed before lower some, bracing himself for backlash from the human he found so adorable and sweet. He heard thunder rolling in the distance, nearing towards them but it didn’t matter. He just hoped she wouldn’t resent him for too long or say she hated him, even though he wouldn’t blame her. She had every right to hate him right now. “…….Hiatsu….” he whispered just barely auditable, lowering his head so his eyes would be shaded by his bangs as he bit his lower lip after, speaking the name of his eldest brother. That word did not calm Alura’s rage only increased it by ten to a hundred fold. She didn’t speak though, only stood with tightly clinched fists, her knuckles turning whiter.
After some tense minutes passed by Alura would finally speak, though it barely came out past her clinched teeth. “Fine.” She growled lowly and turned quickly running off away from Ginsu towards the forest that was miles away from the palace. He reached out for her as he looked up but let his hand drop to his side, knowing she wouldn’t listen or want to speak to him after what he allowed to happen. Doubt and misery filled him, making his body feel heavy and his soul like dirt for allowing such wrong orders to be given and followed. Reaching to his side his right hand grasped his left arm, listening to the roll of thunder that brought the smell of rain with its dark clouds.
Alura ran with tears falling and questions racing through her mind, wondering if they were just playing around and pretending nothing happened just to get something from her. I can’t trust them anymore. They are liars. They can’t be trusted. Rain began falling starting to dampen her clothing and hair with the landscape around her. She didn’t slow down, running off emotions, even her own heavy footfalls becoming deaf to her ears as she ran deeper into the forest. They only want power. They hurt my family and Flora. They let the people die. She thought, still running with her legs burning in exhaustion until she finally slowed down, entering a denser part the forest. She was now a few miles, give or take, away from the entrance and her hard panting form was slowing further, coming to a stop.
Alura’s shoulders trembled with her sobbing she had tried to hold back but now came out. Above her storm clouds rolled in more, thunder sounding softly before the gentle rain began to fall harder upon the land of the three God Brothers. “Why me?! Why did this have to happen?! Is it because I took that necklace?!” She screamed in anger at the sky, receiving nothing in reply except a roll of thunder. Her brown blue eyes glared at the dark rolling sky for a time only to start softening, thoughts sinking in as her wet face began to downturn and voice falling to a normal level. “Is that why mother was arrested when they didn’t even really find it?” Alura asked aloud between sobs, her words broken as was her breathing.
Walking over she sat down on a log and sniffed, trying to cease her crying as the rain began to pour harder, soaking her and everything else it touched that had no cover. About an hour had passed of her sitting and feeling lost in thoughts. She had gotten her tears to stop and now she felt bad for how she behaved. It wasn’t fair to Ginsu when she ran off after yelling at him. Yes she was mad at him but that didn’t mean she should have yelled at him, and the more she thought the more she felt she shouldn’t be mad at him either. She should be mad at Hiatsu for giving such bad orders. Alura began thinking over what she’d yell at Hiatsu, momentarily forgetting that might result in Ginsu getting punished for her mouth, before the sound of footsteps snapped Alura back to her surroundings. Her body jumped at the new sounds, scared of who was there as she looked around, surveying her surroundings until her eyes began to spot something through the mist formed by the rain. Staring ahead she saw the outline of a black body. “…Gin…Ginsu…?” she asked softly hoping it was him.
A low seductive laugh quietly began to fill the air as the body neared closer. “Sorry, little girl, but wrong.” A woman’s voice spoke with a crocked grin as she neared, coming into sight so Alura could see her wearing armor on her right arm and left leg with, nothing to protect the rest of her body that was draped in a short, long sleeve crop top shirt with one sleeve coming down, her left arm and a small ring latching it delicately over the back of her hand. Through the mist Alura could start making out what looked like jeans where one leg came down to the ankle on her right leg, and the left leg it was cut short so to not pass the armor much. Seeing the woman walking on the balls of her feet, like one would in heels wasn’t what freaked her out. No, it was the fact of the sharp talon like points of her toes. Her short spiked out black hair added to the menacing look of her cold eyes.
The woman watched Alura’s fear creep into her eyes and chuckled, a thirst for blood in her sharp yellow eyes. Alura squeaked and started moving back clumsily to get from the log, but instead stumbled over it and fell backwards to the muddy ground. Scrambling to her feet she continued to back up while keeping her eyes set on this inhuman female that continued walking closer. A sword on the woman’s back slowly came into view causing more distress to build inside the girl, and a knot to form in her throat. “Uh…wh…who are you? What do-do you want?” Alura stuttered out, not able to hide the panic flowing through her.
“Aw how cute. The mouse is scared of the cat. Guess I couldn’t ask for a more perfect prey.” The woman grinned wider showing sharp fangs and pointed teeth. This caused Alura to scream and turn quickly once on her feet, taking off running though her steps sank into the muddy ground below, slowing her down some due to some slipping at times. The woman let out a low breath of excitement, enjoying the hunt as she took off after Alura, not fazed by the muddy slick ground. Alura ran panting hard as she found it difficult to run in the muck and mud caused by the still pouring rain. It wasn’t helping that the water falling was cold and that bite was sinking into her bones, causing both shivers of fear and trembles of chills from the cold.
Please! Anyone! Someone! I beg for anyone to save me from this monster! I’m sorry for what I said and thought! I don’t want to die! Alura screamed in her head, closing her eyes tightly in pain from her wheezing chest and stabbing joints. With eyes shut she had no idea where she was going or if she was heading to a way out. Stumbling she caught herself and tried to continue, her lungs feeling tight and like they were on fire. Yelling she fell forwards over an upturned root and laid still on her belly panting like a tired dog, and slowly started to get up with shaky arms.
The woman had her sword drawn and was tapping it on her shoulder then moved to her open palm, as she stepped closer slowly finding the sight grand, not even slightly out of breath. “Oh what a grand sight this is.” Her words hit Alura’s ears just as the mortal’s exhausted body forced itself over, plopping in the mud on her butt. Alura looked up seeing the woman grin as she continued, “a human on God land and in my sights…about to become my next meal. Oh how I love it when one of those idiots goofs up!” She laughed, almost cackling which brought Alura’s face to lose its color. The girl’s brain tried screaming at her limbs to move, to run and flee but to no success. They were spent and felt like dead weight. The woman jabbed her sword down into the ground beside Alura’s face, causing her body to completely freeze in fear as the blade reflected her terrified, muddy and wet face.
“Now then, shall we just end this?” The woman cooed mockingly with a hungry lust in her eyes. “Tell me, before I kill you, of how you’d like to be prepared. Roasted? Raw? Boiled?” This woman was sick then again as Alura knew by her teeth and feet she wasn’t human in the slightest, except her face and body was human but had those inhuman features. No answer left Alura’s slightly gapping mouth. “Come on and tell me your wish for how you’d like to die today.” The woman had a fresh look of insanity on her face, silencing Alura’s voice from a second attempt to speak, wanting to beg for her life but only a squeak coming out. This made the woman laugh hard and raise the blade into the air. “Oh well. Guess I’ll just kill you and eat the meat right from your bones, raw!” She shouted with thrilled words that didn’t bring comfort to the human as Alura’s eyes widened in terror, not wanting to believe this was to be the end but didn’t know how it couldn’t be. All sound seemed to cease, keeping her from picking up on the new quickly approaching noise, her thudding heart pounding in her ears.
Alura gasped and quickly closed her eyes tightly, looking away, terrified of the end and waited for the blow as the blade started to come down swiftly. I’m sorry Ginsu, I shouldn’t have yelled at you. She thought then flinched as the clang of another blade rang out into the air sounding like a tuning fork only higher pitched. Then a grinding sound came to her ears, causing confusion to who else was there. Slowly she opened her eyes looking up hesitantly. She saw familiar boots, dark pants, a soaking wet blue shirt, and held down wet blue hair. Quickly her eyes shot open to stare at the figure that stood over her with hair no longer tied back. It was down and drenched with water making it stick to his back and face, much like how his light clothing was sticking to his smoothly muscle define body. “Ginsu?!” she asked quickly in shock, finally able to speak though her voice cracked in saying his name.
Ginsu looked back to Alura from over his shoulder and gave a kind of cocky grin. “Hey. You shouldn’t worry me like that. I was so scared you’d been killed I decided to come looking for you. Glad I did or you’d be dead right now.” The Water God pointed out, his blue eyes seeming to sparkle in the dimness of their surroundings.
Alura was still shocked, not sure if she was dreaming or not. Seeing how he was straddling her legs some and holding the flat of his blade against the demonic woman’s own weapon, combined with the water dripping down his face and body was breathtaking, magical even. Regaining herself she snapped to her senses and locating her voice spoke as steady as she could. “How did you know where to look for me?” She never knew any forest to be small or difficult to get lost in.
Ginsu shrugged, trying to play it cool so to have her feel confident she would be safe. “Oh your scent is hard to get rid of. Plus…I could hear your heart beating. It was a dead giveaway when you panic.” He answered then turned his face forwards to watch the woman before grunting as he pushed her sword back with her body as well, a couple feet to have distance between her and Alura.
This shove caused her to slide to a stop, growling and glaring at him she couldn’t believe he would stop her from getting her meal. She thought the deal was any humans to somehow get onto the forbidden land were hers to eat. “You bastard! How dare you take away my prey! She’s mine! I found her first so leave now and let me have my meal!” The woman snapped glaring colder with rage as Ginsu turned his back to her, helping Alura to stand up and looked back at the woman.
Ginsu couldn’t keep the smirk off his face when seeing her so angry. “Sorry but I was always told not to help out strangers. And you are a stranger as we don’t know each other.” He grinned chuckling softly. This only increased the demon woman’s rage more. Wanting him to know not to mock her she screeched out a high pitch noise that made Alura yell in pain, falling to the ground on her knees, crumpling forwards while holding her head to cover her ears in pain. Ginsu’s breath caught as he looked at the curled up human. He growled glaring at the woman as she charged to attack, his body turning to face her fully as her blade ready across to her side sliced outwards. A loud clang came as the blade was knocked away and flew into the air, stabbing into the ground has it landed some feet away. He swung his blade down, releasing a strong burst of water into the chest of the demon. The woman flew back screaming before slamming into a tree, coughing as the air was forced out of her lungs.
The demon woman coughed sitting in the grass and dirt as Ginsu stepped closer to her with no emotion of warmth or kindness in his cold eyes, as he glared down upon the demon woman who had slowly started to get to her knees looking up, her form looking like a piece of garbage about to beg for life. “Pl-pl-please…don’t kill me. Look, I didn’t mean to hurt her. I didn’t realize she was with you.” She spoke quickly to try and save her own neck, giving him a wary smile as he came to stand in front of her silently. “So…let’s just forget this ever happened and be on our way.” Her voice was calmer feeling confident he was listening and would spare her, pausing at times from being out of breath and swallowing. She carefully stood using the tree behind her for support, waiting hopeful for him to speak.
Unfortunately for her no words came from Ginsu. This caused her face to slowly fall as she saw her words meant nothing to him. His blade suddenly shot up from his side to press firmly against the side of her neck then, slowly more pressure was applied and began to cut into her flesh, drawing blood. She screamed out in pain but it was quickly resolved by a strong increase of force on the steel item, ending her dying screams by cutting them short when the blade sliced through her vocal cords. Then finally, exiting the other side of her neck her head fell to the ground with a dull ‘thud’ and, rolled to his feet as the body fell over on its side dead and bleeding. Ginsu kicked the head to the body without remorse or respect for the dead creature, and turned away while pulling out a rag, wiping off the blade then sheathing it.
He stepped back over to Alura while hiding the stained fabric in his pocket. Noticing she was slowly starting to sit up and open her eyes he briskly took his place in front of her, offering her a kind hand and helped her stand again. He remained in her way so she wouldn’t see the beheaded corpse of the demon woman, not wanting her to have nightmares. “Are you alright?” he asked concerned as he kept his body in her view, in a way forcing her to look at him.
Alura was silent, listening to the rain before answering. “…yes…” she whispered while watching his eyes as he hugged her into his chest, kissing the top of her head.
“I’m glad.” Ginsu expressed gratefully with a breath. Gently he picked her up into his arms and began to walk out of the forest. The rain starting to lighten was the only sound to bring peace as he had her low enough she couldn’t see over his shoulder, only look up to him or out the way they were going.
“…thank you. I’m…sorry for what I said earlier.” Alura whispered quietly, resting her head against his chest with her eyes half open, listening to his soft heartbeat. It was nice and sounded as kind as he was.
Ginsu looked down to her softly, gently shaking his head. “It’s fine. I know it’s hard but…please, just give it a little more time. I know you’re upset and want answers. I can give you answers if you are willing to give me time to figure out how to present them.” He explained taking a slow breath, honesty reflecting in his eyes. “Everything will be alright. Trust me.” Alura nodded softly and yawned, slowly closed her eyes, resting against his chest as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. I just hope things don’t go out of control during the days you’ll be here. Ginsu thought and continued on to the palace. He hoped she would never see him have to kill, not wanting her to see him as anything other than helpful and kind.
He carefully began to pick up speed, allowing his aura to surround them and they vanished, appearing in the large entryway of the palace. Water dripped off them and it wasn’t exactly quiet as he made his way upstairs, calling for a maid to get Alura dried off and into a dry outfit, not wanting her to get sick if that hadn’t happened already. Seeing Alura was taken care of he made his way to his own chambers to get dry and changed.
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