THE VOID

CHAPTER 3: ENCOUNTER

GLOSSARY

Aryc - Blimork's third moon

LOCATION: BLIMORK

Malitan: Khaerina

POV: Lea Ximis

Lea and Nemesis went back home. Nemesis carried Lea’s chest of materials all the way from the shop. They didn’t talk that much along the way but Lea enjoyed their short walk together. Both of them have been closely tied ever since both their parents disappeared. Their mother died and their father escaped Blimork.

“I’ll be waiting out here in the living room while you go and put your stuff in your room.” Nemesis said.

Lea nodded and then headed to her room. She put the chest down on the floor near her bed. She opened the closet, opened the secret compartment inside her closet, and retrieved her folding bow and a small quiver of customized arrows.

Lea went out of her room and went to the living room. She sat on a soft sofa right next to her brother. In front of her was a plate of steaming meat skewers placed on top of the glass table. This was Lea’s favorite dish to eat every time her brother comes home. It might not be much, but for Lea, it’s the beauty of its simplicity brought up by effort and love that counts. Lea might not be the type of person to show her feelings but she expresses them in subtle ways. Lea got one meat skewer and began chowing down on it.

Nemesis cleared his throat. “Alright. About that discussion,” he said with a little hesitation while sitting down beside Lea.

Lea raised an eyebrow at her brother while chewing. She playfully elbowed him to encourage him to speak up.

“Right.” Nemesis paused for a while. “Lea, you know that I love you, right?” he asked.

Lea nodded her head and then leaned on her brother’s shoulder while munching on the meat skewer.

Nemesis smiled and patted Lea’s head. “Ever since mom and dad went, I have been pretty much your only family member left. I would do anything to protect you and make you happy. You know that.” he soothed.

Lea finished eating one meat skewer then put the skewer down. “Yes, brother. I know that. What’s wrong?” she asked.

Nemesis pursed his lips for a while as if thinking about how to formulate his answer. “I want you to join the Elite Corps under my command,” he finally mustered.

Lea sat back up and looked at her brother, confused. “Where is this coming from?” she inquired.

Nemesis sighed and clasped his hands, hesitant to tell Lea. He stayed silent this time as if he was afraid of what he was going to say.

Lea softly put her hand on top of her brother’s clasped hands as if assuring him that she’ll hear him out.

Nemesis looked at Lea and gave her a warm smile. “It’s the Dark Emperor,” he whispered.

Lea’s eyes widened. Shivers went down her spine. She slowly withdrew her hand from the top of her brother’s clasped hands and hugged herself.

“I know what you’re thinking. You were there when Tyrox executed his own father along with his father's right hand - Maven Zikron.” Nemesis disclaimed. “We were both there. Which is why I was recruited in his armies and was quickly promoted to general.”

“Now he wants to impose the same thing on me.” Lea sighed.

Nemesis hinted. “This is his way of keeping an eye on those individuals he spared from his executions. He worries that another revolution would brew up against him if he didn’t do this.”

Lea shook her head. “But you know what I feel towards the Dark Emperor, right?” she asked with concern in her voice.

Nemesis assented. “We both know what he’s like, but what can we do?”

Lea smiled tenderly. She held her brother's face and made him look at her. She saw that her brother was close to tears. The sight of him close to crying made Lea’s heart shudder with sadness and pain.

“Remember what dad told us every time?” Lea mouthed.

“Take care of each other. No matter what others tell you, don’t let them destroy what you two have.” Nemesis mumbled as tears slowly flowed down his face.

“Be strong, brother. I’m still here. Nothing is going to change what we have.” Lea reassured.

Lea closed her eyes then pressed her forehead to her brother’s. Tears also flowed down her face. This was something very sensitive to both of them. They were a victim of unjust execution. The whole Ximis family - the entire Acolyte Faction rather - experienced injustice at the hands of the Dezoksis. Now both of them carry the burden since they are the only ones left to carry their family name. Their father’s parting words always weighed a lot in their hearts, knowing that they only have each other to rely on when push comes to show. They only know one thing: to resent the Dezoksis.

After a time of silent sobbing between the siblings, Lea hugged Nemesis tightly.

“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine. Just do what you do and I do what I do. Okay?” Lea begged.

Nemesis agreed then pulled away. He stood up and tidied his outfit.

“Thank you, sister,” he said, pleased.

He went towards the door, stopped, took a glance, and smiled at Lea, then went out.

Lea beamed. She felt comforted and relieved by what just happened. She wiped her tears then strapped her foldable bow and quiver at her side. She ate another meat skewer before also heading out.

This is one of the days wherein she trains secretly in a forest on the outskirts of Khaerina, the Empire’s Capital. She briskly walked through the gate of the malitan and started heading towards the forest. Lea sprinted, feeling the wind blow past her eyes and through her hair. The forest is estimated to be at least five kilometers away from the capital. Sprinting’s the only option Lea has in order for her to arrive there faster. Lea enjoys it a lot because she would have a lot of time venturing the forest and finding some targets.

Lea eventually arrives at the edge of the forest. The forest gave off a dull crimson glow. Trees were close to each other which created a shade that obscured what was inside.  She was hunched over while holding her stomach. Out of breath but she was still smiling. Lea loves the thrill of these kinds of things. It makes her feel alive.

She spat on the ground and huffed while listening for any movement nearby.  The cold breeze whooshed causing the trees to rustle in response. Crows fly to the sky from within the forest. Lea stared in awe at the number of crows. Suddenly, a low growl can be heard from the west. Lea quickly whipped out her bow and nocked an arrow, turning towards the direction where the sound came from. The breeze died and silence fills the air, her breath the only thing audible. Out came lunging from between the trees is a garnet-colored lion-wolf with black beaded eyes and acid-green foam dripping from his mouth. Without hesitation, Lea immediately aimed and shot the arrow, grazing the side of the wolf’s face. It landed face-first on the ground and rolled back up. Lea nocks and aims the second arrow. The creature bared its teeth at her and spat at her. She jumped out of the way before it hit her face. It repeatedly spat poison which prevented Lea from steadily aiming. She withdrew her bow and equipped her dagger.

“Time to use this baby,” she exclaimed.

Lea ran towards the creature, dodging every spit coming her way. In response, the creature also ran towards her. As the creature lunged at Lea, she sidestepped and slashed at its abdomen. The creature bellowed in pain. It turned at Lea again and lunged the second time.

“Perfect,” she mumbled.

She turned the blade towards her, pressed a hidden button, and launched a chained blade from its hilt hitting the creature on its neck. It yelped before landing on the ground with a sickening thud. It convulsed as bluish-green liquid gushed from its wound. The creature dissipated into ash and a white glowing wisp materialized. It floated until it was at Lea’s eye level. It revolved around her three times and then stopped in front of her. The glow intensified then sped into the forest.

Lea withdrew her dagger, equipped her bow, and nocked an arrow. She feels a presence from within the forest. Wandering souls in the form of wisps only appear after the full lunar eclipse of Aryc, Blimork’s third moon, which occurs usually towards the end of the Blimork calendar. This is a strange phenomenon.

Lea slowly closed in towards one of the gaps between the trees. She observed that beyond that certain gap was pure darkness. She observed the gaps between the other trees and noticed that they weren’t the same. She slowly backed away from the gap while aiming the nocked arrow at the gap. Suddenly, a branch snapped. As a reflex, Lea shot the arrow, knocked, and shot two more arrows. To her surprise, the arrows flew back at her with high velocity. Lea dove out of the way and shot another arrow. This time, the arrow returned faster than the last and it grazed Lea’s left arm. She grunted as she nocked another arrow. Suddenly, numerous cards came flying out of the gap. Lea tried to run and escape from it but the cards caught up to her and attached to her hands and feet. She dropped her bow as she struggled while she started floating in the air. As Lea was about to cry for help, the word “Reticence” echoed, closing her mouth shut.

“Shh. Quiet, Ximis. I know you,” a young woman’s voice asserted.

Lea gasped at the fact that this woman knows her identity. She leaned forward to escape the magical hold of the cards stuck to her.

“It’s no use, Lea,” the voice echoed.

Lea stopped struggling as she heard her name. A cold shiver went down her spine.

“Who are you?” Lea quavered.

The young woman reveals herself and smiled at Lea. She had a heart-shaped face, round eyebrows, almond-shaped violet eyes, a turned-up nose, thin lips, long dark hair, warm ivory skin tone, and a well-defined pear-shaped body. She was wearing a black tank top under a red sleeveless trench coat with a stiff upright collar, black leggings, and stilettos.

“I know you know me,” the woman chimed as she snapped her fingers.

The cards deactivated, releasing Lea and dropping her to the ground. Lea landed on her feet and dusted herself off. She then collected her bow and withdrew it.

“Oh. I almost forgot,” the young woman bleated. “Nix!” she boomed.

Lea felt her jaw loosen. “Thank you,” she mustered.

The young woman offered her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lea. Daughter of the First Rebel. The Renowned Weapon Specialist. Survivor of the Ximis Family,” she effused.

Lea reluctantly shook her hand. “Nice to meet you too, I guess?”

“Ah. Where are my manners?” the young woman babbled as she turned around.

She summoned a card and made it float in front of me. It appeared to be a rune engraved on the card.

“Keep it. You’ll know when you need it,” she declared.

The card floated inside her pocket. Thoughts of familiarity formed inside Lea’s mind. She knows who this person is. The looks. The personality. The confidence she brings out. Her fashion statement. The magic she uses. There could only be one person.

“In case you forgot,” the young woman expressed as she turned around to face Lea. “It’s Kate. Kate Zikron. We meet again,” she smiled.