Chapter 9: Choice
Three months later the sun rose to show a snowy landscape that sparkled with ice crystals. Alura hadn’t spoken to Hiatsu since the night of the ball which suited him just fine. He didn’t much care for her when she stood up to him. Hiatsu had apologized to his youngest brother for the way the other Immortals spoke about Alura. To his shock, not really a shocker to him, Ginsu accepted the apology and things had progressed as normal.
Ginsu watched as Alura attacked him with a charge attack as they were still working with the wooden swords. He smirked, thinking he’d seen the true attack again so began to ready his counter only find out it was a fake, when he felt the real blow make contact to his neck. “Heh, gotcha.” She said grinning, pleased with her victory.
Ginsu blinked in shock, stunned she had pulled that kind of move off. “Oh I guess you did. Well now, we’ll have to start on the real swords won’t we? I said if you could defeat me quickly without dying first I’d let you advance. And you’ve won without a death before mine so you pass the wooden sword training.” He smiled chuckling as she removed her sword and grinned, clearly overjoyed that she had finally mastered using a light wooden weapon enough to begin work with a real blade. He would of course, dull the steel so no one would be cut, just bruised up if they were hit too hard.
“Thanks Ginsu for putting up with and training me. I know it must have been a pain.” Alura said gently, her grin now an excited smile as she looked over her soon to be former weapon of choice. Part of her was going to miss it as the other part wasn’t going to even give that piece of wood a second thought after, she could get a real weapon in her grasp.
“Oh yes it was excruciatingly painful.” He over exaggerated, rolling his eyes and acting it out as if he was put through pain, making her giggle watching him. Ginsu regained his composure and took in her laugh that floated through the air. It was adorable and so sweet of a sound. “Nah it wasn’t too bad. No worse than training the men or fighting Marizu.” He paused resting the heel of his hand against his forehead with his blue eyes closing. “Fighting him is a death wish. Training the men eh pretty simple.” He said and sighed while lowering his hand with eyes reopening as she nodded.
Alura started thinking, her gaze turning up to the clear ceiling to look at the cold, gray sky above. It looked chilly out with so much snow but inside the greenhouse it was always comfortable. She was contributing this to somehow Hiatsu’s control over fire and thus heat. After silence was allowed to linger she soon got an idea, speaking quickly in a rush. “Come on!” Suddenly he was jerked towards the door of the garden that always stayed warm along with the castle, no matter the temperature outside it stayed perfectly warm in the winter and comfortable in the summer. She raced to her room, getting on her warmest cloak that held fur on the outside and inside to ensure its warmth. She then pulled Ginsu with her out of the room, down the hall and outside without allowing him time to protest. Once outside she smiled, exhaling as it was starting to snow again. “See? Isn’t it cool?” She asked enthusiastically, excited to share the sight and fun of snow with the Water God.
He chuckled and nodded, walking out now as she had released him. He snapped his fingers, forming himself a very warm cloak and his clothing under it also changed to suit the icy weather. “Yes it is cool.” Ginsu commented casually, pulling his hood in closer around his head when a brisk wind blew. “You know, I’ve seen snow before. It isn’t a new creation to me.” He chuckled finding her excited expression delightful. His chuckle caused her to look at him blinking as she took in his words, then she felt a blush overtake her face bringing her to look down a bit quick, feeling foolish for her actions. What was she thinking? She should have known he would have seen snow before. He had been alive a lot longer than her-self. Ginsu picked up some snow, patting it into a ball and tossed it at her laughing. “That’s okay though. I may have stayed inside all day and missed this.” He explained pleasantly to put her worrying to an end.
Alura yelped as it hit her arm. Brushing the white frozen substance off her cloak she glared playfully at the youngest God before picking up some snow, and tossed back a snowball which he dodged easily. “Hah! Missed me!” he exclaimed grinning only to receive another snowball thrown at him that hit him in the face. His tightly closed eyes opened, blinking away more frozen liquid so it looked like he wore a white mask of ice crystals. Ginsu shook his head quickly, releasing air through his lips to make them vibrate in a comical way while shaking the cold substance off his skin. Alura laughed hard, grabbing her stomach as she almost fell over before looking up and yelped as a snowball whizzed by her face. He laughed and the snowball fight began.
At a window Talon watched silently with his face against the cold glass, hoping she hadn’t forgotten about him. Sadly he watched her play with Ginsu, his heart feeling heavy as he released a hot breath making the glass fog up some. Maids walked by leaving him alone when he didn’t want to play and felt bad that it appeared that his own sister had abandoned him. After a while he moved away and left his room to start wandering the halls, watching what others were doing and listen to what they were saying before he was noticed. He wasn’t stupid like some thought he was for being silent, he understood everything they said.
Hiatsu watched Talon pass by his open door, feeling a little worried for the boy and sighed deciding to actually take a break, and see if he could help cheer him up. The Fire God stood while pushing his chair back and took his leave into the hallway. Approaching with soft steps up behind Talon he reached forwards to grab the child, as he picked up the boy he received whines and sounds of panic in response to his gentle grasp. Talon began squirming to get free, afraid of what would happen as he hadn’t seen or heard who had just picked him up. “It’s okay Talon. It’s only me, Hiatsu.” Talon halted his struggling hearing that voice, cranking his head around to look behind him at Hiatsu and his body un-tensed while he calmed down. “You doing okay?” the Fire God inquired, watching as Talon nodded lying. Hiatsu sighed quietly, kneeling down to rest the boy on his leg after moving over to be next to a wall, locking eyes with the four year old. “Don’t lie to me Talon. I’m a God. I can see through lies.” Talon sighed with that warning and fact from Hiatsu, deciding he should be honest he shook his head for indication he was not okay. “Want to talk about it? I am sure you can talk you just choose not to.”
Talon was silent keeping his head tilted down and his eyes cast down so not to look at Hiatsu, refusing answering in any way to his words. Hiatsu waited patiently, watching Talon closely. Talon parted his lips and a small sound escaped but closed them quickly after, not speaking as he didn’t feel like he could or should, observing a maid walk pass out of his peripheral vision. Hiatsu sighed, trying to keep his patients with the child he was trying to help. “Come on, it’s okay.” He urged gently, seeing Talon turn his blue orbs up to look into his yellow eyes before they returned down, then back up at Hiatsu afraid to speak. Hiatsu groaned quietly, not used to someone being that, apparently, shy before. He put Talon down and stood, walking into a room with Talon’s hand in his and closed the door so they were alone. “Is this better?” Talon looked around the nice guest room and nodded softly, his fingers near his closed mouth a little as he looked about the room still looking a bit nervous. “Now…I’m sure you can speak you’ve just kept your silence.” Hiatsu said gently as he kneeled down to look the youth in the eyes, trying to show he wasn’t intimidating.
Slowly Talon opened his mouth to speak but no words came, but the second time he tried he spoke. “…yes…” his voice was quiet as he looked up at Hiatsu with his eyes, keeping his head inclined then down shifted his blue orbs to examine his hands which stayed close to his chest, a little afraid. He hadn’t spoken to anyone before this point. It felt unnerving and made his stomach feel like it was twisting in doing flips.
Hiatsu remained kneeling and rubbed Talon’s head softly with his large hand which almost encompassed the child’s entire skull. “You’re safe, don’t worry. What’s troubling you?”
The boy held his tongue once more, his hands lowering to subconsciously take hold of the bottom edge of his long sleeve shirt, starting to wring it some while picking his words carefully of what he wished to say. “…it is sister…she’s…always with that man……Ginsu I think is his name. She doesn’t even remember I’m here.” Talon said in almost a whisper, keeping his eyes diverted from the Fire God and on the simple yet beautiful rug donning the hard stone type material floor.
There was the cause or one at the very least that came to surface for his sad expression. Hiatsu thought it over with siblings and spoke in a softer tone, hoping to get the youth to ease up his anxiety. “I’m sure it seems that way but…I’m sure she hasn’t forgotten about you. I mean, you both are siblings. She wouldn’t forget you if her life depended on it. Trust me. As much as I want to I still can’t forget my brothers Ginsu and Marizu.” He explained with a smirk after an eye roll when mentioning his two brothers. Talon watched this action curiously at first then smiled a little as he found the reaction funny. Tilting his head up to better watch Hiatsu, he smiled a little more before releasing a few giggles as his hair was ruffled playfully by the redhead. “See? You don’t always have to look sad. You can be happy also.” Hiatsu chuckled, removing his hand from Talon’s black hair.
“Yea I suppose you’re right…” Talon said shyly and looked down then up after a brief pause. “…your maids are weird…” the boy explained in a tone to indicate it was his observation or like it was a matter of fact that should be brought, to the leader’s attention.
The Fire God blinked, tilting his head to one side slightly, a curious look twisting to his smooth face. “Hm? How so?”
“They keep giggling…and stuff when they see me…and say all this weird stuff like how they’d like to keep me…or I’m so cute they’d like to eat me up…it’s weird…” Talon explained with a hesitating voice.
Hiatsu laughed hearing this and patted his shoulder. “That is what we men call women. We don’t like them at times but there’s just some stuff only a woman can do.”
Talon blinked confused, tilting his head slightly to the side. “…like what?” The wide eyed innocent boy questioned.
“Uh well….” Hiatsu began, feeling a couple beads of sweat start to form and begin to slip down the sides of his face from his forehead. This was not what he expected to be asked by a child. “We’ll talk about that when you’re older. You aren’t old enough yet to know about what only women can do.” The Fire God explained, taking a cloth from his pocket to dab some of the sweat off his brow. This was a first for him. He wasn’t used to interacting with humans, let alone children or one looking so innocent and so curious.
Talon stared at Hiatsu confused, unsure why there was a nervous tone in his voice. “Well now look at the time. I must be getting back to work.” Hiatsu quickly stated after a few awkward moments of silence, starting to stand with yellow eyes on his pocket as he returned the fabric to its place, before looking back at Talon who looked down sadly. This sight brought Hiatsu to sigh then groan with an eye roll during a slow blink, wondering why he was suddenly getting soft. “…We could go outside so you can play in the snow if you want. I need a break from all the paperwork anyway.” The Fire God offered and reasoned even though he wanted to get back to said paperwork.
Talon’s face lit up with those words and he laughed, celebrating by throwing his hands up in the air with jumping into the air. He was never allowed outside unsupervised due to being so young and he so wanted to go enjoy the snow. Hiatsu went with him to his room, not having much choice since Talon had grabbed his wrist with his small hands and drug him along. The boy got warmly dressed and went out with Hiatsu who didn’t bother to put on anything extra due to always being warm in the winter, from the flames he was born from. They walked outside and Talon gasped in cute shock before smiling and laughing as he ran out into the snow covered field, and ran about the open space. After a bit he suddenly just fell back into the white, cold fluff and started creating a snow angel.
Hiatsu sighed quietly as he watched the child stand back up to start trying to catch the frozen flakes on his tongue. Oddly this brought his standard serious expression to tug gently upwards until he found himself smiling, starting to wonder more why he was enjoying this so much. He figured it was because he had been working too long and was losing his mind. It was the only explanation he could make up to explain his feeling soft for a human child. Hiatsu kept his yellow orbs on Talon who continued playing away and enjoying himself.
Looking up at the snowing sky the Fire God’s thoughts started to wander, pondering if he was truly stating to become softhearted because of the short interactions with one small boy. Nah, it couldn’t be that. There’s no way I could be getting weak because of one child. He thought as he returned his sight down at Talon who waved and Hiatsu waved back, smiling kindly to the boy. Then again…there is that possibility that I am getting lenient because of the two human children here. Though…his sister I doubt is why I’m being so kind. Hiatsu released a breath watching the white cloud form and disappear as he leaned back against the castle wall, waiting on the four year old to tire out. It felt strange, this taking a break from work. Part of the redhead knew if it had been anyone else to request he pause his work he would had assaulted them verbally, if not physically for such a suggestion. Yet this boy who barely spoke had gotten the mighty, powerful God of Fire out of his office and away from his work to stand outside in the winter cold. This brought a quiet chuckle to vibrate within his throat, humored at the strange occurrence.
Hours passed and Talon finally started to get tired, and decided it was time to go back inside. This choice was also because his cheeks were rosy red from the nipping chill and he wanted to get warmed up. Hiatsu returned indoors with Talon, walking the tired black haired boy to his room. Once there he helped Talon get his winter gear off, hanging the clothing up near a fireplace that was in each room, and helped the boy into bed, tucking him in for a nap. Smiling warmly like a father would to his own child, the redhead waited a few minutes to ensure Talon was fast asleep. Once sure the lad was off in dreamland Hiatsu quietly stood, turned and walked out only pausing in the doorway when he heard Talon mumble his name. He didn’t speak though as he only looked back to see Talon still fast asleep and so he finished creeping out of the room, silently closing the door behind him and started down the hall to return to his room.
Back outside Alura smiled while walking beside Ginsu and talking softly as she told him about her life in Flora, her mother, and what she remembered of her father. Although he already knew this he nodded anyway, agreeing with her and actually was interested that she was willing to tell him this, when he figured she knew he already knew it. “Tell me about yourself.” She said more as an order than a request after she was finished telling him about her life.
Ginsu blinked and looked up. He had been letting his mind partly wander so the sudden change in topic was a bit jarring. “Well now, let me think. Hmm I’m the God of water, the youngest brother of two, and I grew up here as far as I can remember. I’m captain of the guards and my life was pretty good except for the days I’d get beat up by Marizu. But then again, who can guard against a sneak attack?” Ginsu stated with a small shrug of his shoulders. “And my only weakness is the stone I was created from. If it’s destroyed I’ll either die instantly or turn human and die that way. Either way, death is a sure thing to come if it’s destroyed.”
Even though Alura did recall the Water God telling her this before it still felt unbelievable somehow. “Oh I see. Well then we’ll just have to make sure no one destroys that stone.” She said confidently, putting her now closed hands on her hips. “Do you know where it is?”
Ginsu saw this pose from her as they took their time strolling around, chuckling as he shook his head sadly. “Sorry, but, no. Only Hiatsu knows. That’s why it’s hard to go against his orders since I doubt he’d feel remorse killing me or Marizu.” There was a sadness lining the youngest brother’s words that also reflected in his lovely blue eyes.
Seeing this sadness angered Alura bringing her to frown. “Lying snake.” she muttered in a slightly darker tone as her body tensed briefly and fists lowering to her sides. “He’s just a fox in the chicken coop.” As those words left her lips the darker tone had faded and her fists unclenched, arms rising to fold themselves in front of her chest as her head gave a short nod. She looked over at Ginsu as they both stopped, seeing the strange look he was giving her she let a slight smile tug at her lips, a light blush trying to burn into her cheeks. That phrase must have sounded weird based on the curious look he had on his face. “I always heard the old women of the Flora use that phrase when they were talking about a guy that used stuff against another to control them.”
Ginsu thought the sentence over carefully and nodded, the curious look fading into a friendly one. “Well I guess that is one way to phrase it, anyway.” He chuckled lightly before looking at the sky for the time. “Shall we head back in? It’s almost past noon.”
“Huh? It is?” Alura questioned, blinking as she couldn’t believe it was time for lunch. “Wow time flies. Okay, let’s head back.” She turned around on her heel and started to march back to the palace, making him laugh as he followed behind her. As she marched an idea sprung into her head. “I’ll race ya!” Alura shouted from over her shoulder before taking off running.
Ginsu gasped then smirked, running after her. “Hey no fair! You got a head start!” he whined like a child making her laugh as they ran into the palace towards the kitchen, quickly throwing their winter cloaks off. Before the chilly fabrics could strike the ground a maid ran up catching one then the other. She sighed then yelped quick stepping to catch the winter hat thrown off by Alura. Releasing another breath as her eyes closed, she felt glad her two kids had grown and had their own homes with jobs.
In another part of the palace a figure dressed fully in black entered Hiatsu’s room, smirking below a drawn hood and behind a high collar made of cotton. “What do you want?” Hiatsu asked in a low growl, not in the mood for games. He had returned to his room recently and just gotten into dealing with some new paperwork, concerning the other landmass he was to be overseeing.
The figure in black giggled, taking slow swaying steps forward to put distance between them and the open balcony door. “Nothing oh mighty and kind God of the Flame, only a warning I bring to give.” The female voice cooed while her body gave a deep bow, both arms extending out and back behind her as her body dipped forwards, her left foot slipping behind her right to work as a counter balance. Sliding smoothly back to be standing an odd color gleamed from under the shadows of her hood. “Release the girl and keep the boy or disaster shall befall your men during their mission.” Her voice was smooth as silk and sharp as a bladed tongued snake.
He looked up with his eyes first, giving her a stone hard glanced then returned his focus back down to his paperwork. “I fear nothing as my men fear nothing. Leave wench or die.” The Fire God hissed dangerously his warning, growing further agitated by her presence.
“Oh, powerful words coming from someone who rarely acts upon what he preaches.” Her voice had become softer, deeper, almost like she was daring his authority and questioning his ability to not be puffing air with idle threats.
Hiatsu’s jaw tightened and his lips thinned as his shoulders tensed. This woman was getting on his last nerves the more she lingered. “Wench…this is your last warning. Leave now or die if you breathe another word.”
She released a mocking gasp as if she was truly scared but that didn’t last long before she started to laugh. “Oh will you now?” she giggled, rising a delicate hand to her lips as she appeared to be trying to contain her amusement. That was it, he had had it. No one was going to mock him, he didn’t even allow it from Marizu.
In an instant Hiatsu was in her face, shoving her back against the wall hard and held her by her throat with his strong, hot hand against her flesh. The fabric of her cloak’s collar was compressed roughly under his hand which allowed access to her bare skin. His nails extended about an inch so they could dig into the sides of her neck, not pressing enough to draw blood but could leave imprints alongside his fingertips. Pulling out a weapon he just forged from his flames behind his back, he lifted it and pressed the well-honed, sharp blade firmly against her neck. “Leave or die.” He snarled deeply as flames left his lips as he spoke those words, his cold yellow eyes watching the shiny blade graze the underside of her chin as it came to rest against her soft colored flesh.
She tilted her head back without flinching when a light layer of skin cells was removed, shifting her eyes to be looking down at him so one blue eye was showing through the shadows of her hood. Amusement reflected in her gaze as a smirk continued to rest on her now showing face. “Oh? Are you so sure, dear God of the Flame?” she asked in a quite smug and sure tone. She was showing no fear of the blade pressed against her neck above his hand that was wrapped around her throat. This confused and enraged Hiatsu more until he felt the sharpness of a blade being pressed against his side, two inches below his ribcage on the left. “You kill me and I’ll kill you. Simple enough…” her whispering voice seemed to deepen, to change to almost like another spoke through her with the giddiness of a child. “Especially when the form of his weakness is right here inside his body.” her voice was seductive, having a singsong wave to it with her content and smug expression at her own knowledge of the Fire God.
Hiatsu released a deep growl from his throat, his body tensing with his breath caught in his chest. It could be a stalemate if he had his blade at her weakness but if not then it was only in her favor. “Name your price, wench.”
“You heard my price before.” She soothed in a sultry voice. “Or is your mind finally failing you? Perhaps I should retake my territory so your ancient memory can rest with ease, and only fret over one mess of mortals.” She chuckled mockingly.
“In nine years she’ll leave. That, I will assure you.” Hiatsu assured her dryly, his expression clearly un-amused by her terms.
“Nine? Isn’t that a bit much?” She pouted trying to look cute as her lips pursed some. “She leaves in seven years.” The woman said in a flat, strict and authoritative tone to intimidate.
“My land, my laws, tch.” he winced as she pressed the blade in closer, causing its sharpened edge to start slicing through each thread making up that section of his shirt. It was curved like a scythe blade and came out from under her cloak, looking like a metal tail of black coloring. She was pleased when he spoke his next words, seeing her method of negotiations still worked wonders. “Very well, in seven years she leaves.” Hiatsu regrettably said, the words barely exiting past his lips.
“Good boy. I knew you’d listen to diplomacy.” She cooed softly feeling very satisfied with herself, starting to remove the blade that went carefully back into her body under her cloak. Once done and able to, the redhead stepped back swiftly, not wanting to allow her the ability to “negotiate” more. She took a few steps away from the wall and bowed, vanishing into darkness.
Hiatsu sighed, ordering the blade to vanish which it did before he turned to start walking over to his desk. He sat down a bit hard into the soft cushioned chair, groaning as he rested his elbows on the table and placed his face into his hands. Moments later he started sliding his hands up to lace his fingers into his red locks and running his fingers through his hair, now frustrated further by having to force Alura to leave after seven years would pass by. “Damn.” He mumbled as he leaned back, his fingers exiting his long locks and sat there with his eyes closed, releasing a sigh while trying to think of a way to prolong it so she wouldn’t have to leave at that young of an age. He was becoming soft, this he admitted to himself, since he was worrying about a girl who would backtalk and stand up to him. But that was one thing he admired in her. He admired she had the guts to talk back to him without much fear of repercussions of late.
Not feeling up to using a mind link to speak to Ginsu to explain what just took place, he thought over whom to send a message with. Hiatsu inhaled then sighed with his exhale, leaning forwards and sent a message through a servant to have Ginsu once he was free, to come see him.
During the night after all was quiet, Ginsu went to see Hiatsu. He wasn’t sure what to expect, the maid hadn’t been very clear to him. Taking a deep breath outside his eldest brother’s door, he released it as he knocked. The doors opened and so he entered, looking over to Hiatsu’s desk he saw the Fire God’s face looking more fallen than normal. “What is it?” the Water God inquired as the pair of doors closed behind him securely.
“You must train Alura to fight with a sword well before seven years are up.” was all the Fire God said dryly with his eyes closed and his lower face hidden behind his laced fingers which were cupped so his thumbs rested under his chin, forming a pouch between the thumbs and index fingers for, his strong jaw to rest comfortably against his warm skin.
“Why?” Ginsu questioned, tilting his head to the left as this didn’t make much sense for the rush. Why would he need to rush and hurry her training? Had his brother forgotten rushing with weapons can lead to injury?
Hiatsu opened his tired yellow eyes to see the confusion and questions reflecting clear as the moon in the empty sky, in his youngest brother’s blue orbs. “We had a visitor today.” He sighed, lowering his upper lids some. “She knew of our weakness and where mine was. I can’t afford to die as I am the leader and Marizu would only destroy this land.” Regret there was no one more suitable to take over should he pass was evident in the redhead’s voice. “You’re in charge of her training. Make sure she can use a sword to its full potential. Two if possible since I’m sure she’ll be going back to Flora to save her mother and country. She has Nate’s blood flowing in her veins after all.” He explained flatly, his serious gaze never leaving the lighthearted Water God’s.
Ginsu nodded sighing. He wasn’t sure who this ‘visitor’ was but knew he didn’t like them. Anyone who knew where any of their ultimate weaknesses were was a definite enemy when they intended harm. “This will be interesting. I just hope she’ll be ready.” He commented, not sounding too sure he could get Alura ready to be on her own in that short of time.
Lowering his hands Hiatsu did his best to give a smile, or some expression, to display he had trust in Ginsu’s training abilities. “You are the best teacher around. I’m sure she’ll be ready under your guidance.” His attempted smile of assurance fell with his next words but his tone stayed serious. “You must work her hard. I don’t want her failing then dying when she leaves. The boy will stay here with us until he feels ready to leave and be on his own.”
Ginsu nodded before sitting stiffly down in a chair across from his brother, leaning back as he tried to push the racing concern out of his mind. “I guess…I’ll do my best in training her.” The Water God paused, questioning silently if to make a request or not but decided in the end to get it into the air. The worse that could happen is denial which was less severe than acting behind the hotheaded leader’s back. “If…it is alright with you I would like to go with her in secret to watch over her. Then if she’s in danger I can help her. I am afraid to admit it but I think I’ve fallen for that girl.” He said with a light blush spreading on his cheeks and a small grin on his face.
Hiatsu sighed leaning back in his seat still stone faced but eventually he relented, an amused smirk coming to his thin lips. He was losing his cold edge, he now was positive of this fact. “Fine, you may go with her if you want. But…you cannot allow her out of your sight. Constantly stay in contact with me with a mind link. Understand?”
“Yes I understand.” Ginsu replied quickly with a nod, smiling. “Thank you. Trust me you won’t regret this.”
Oh how Hiatsu was hoping he wouldn’t regret his softening nature. “I am sure I won’t. Go and get some sleep. It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow and a busy time for you until she must leave.” Ginsu nodded in acknowledgment, standing and left the room to return to his own with many things on his mind. This truly was going to be an interesting challenge. He would need to train her to fight with not one but two blades and somehow he also needed to ensure she could, control the demonic bloodline that could easily cause her to do regrettable actions.
Getting to his room he latched his door shut, letting it fall into soft light from the crackling fireplace. Slipping his shirt off over his head while his legs carried him towards his four poster bed, he passed the fireplace which allowed the firelight to give definition to his fit body and to display a long scar on his back. This scar traveled from his right shoulder blade down to his left hip where it vanished under the waistband of his pants. On his chest was another scar, a mark from where he had been stabbed just off from his heart also in the past that refused to fade. He sat on the bed, removing his shoes and socks before finishing his change of clothing into soft, silk pajama pants.
I hope she’ll not lose herself like her father did. That blood is dangerous. Seven years isn’t enough time for me to teach her to have control. Hopefully she’ll not tap into it any more than she already has begun to. Ginsu’s thoughts whirled around these concerns as he pulled back the winter blankets, getting into bed and laid down with a heavy sigh lined with his frets. At least if he failed he had permission to follow and protect Alura after her departure. Taking a deep relaxing breath the Water God forced his eyes shut. Eventually after several failed tries he managed to drift into a, though slightly restless, dream filled slumber.
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