The Final Ashfield

Chapter 2: The Codex

Aleximus ran through the meadow quickly as the moon shined down on him.

"Huh?!?!" He whipped his head, turning to look behind him. 

"Who's there?!" He spoke, on guard, ready for any and everything. 

There wasn't a reply.

Tch. Of course there isn't anyone there. Us four are the only ones who live in the axis. 

He exhaled and regained his composure.

He was still on guard, however. The strange happenings with his sister were just his primary concern. 

But…the presence that he sensed…reminded him of the magic that Anna used. 

…It’s energy.

He focused his mind back on his sister and continued to run. 

--(Note "-" by itself means change in perspectives)

“Oh…? Can he sense me? Interesting…” 

The moon shined down, outlining a dark figure’s shadow.

He stood behind a tree watching Aleximus with a sinister grin.

“Looks like my journey here won't be too boring…”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jacender burst into the kitchen. 

"Uncle Matsuda!!" He yelled.

His uncle had been icing a cake. 

"Oh. Jace! Is your sister awake? If so, I'll be right there soon. I just need to finish topping her cake. You know chocolate is her fav–" he said before being cut off by Jace.

"–Uncle! I…It´s Aleximus and Anna!!¨ he panted. 

Matsuda´s eyes narrowed. 

Jacender quickly told him what he had seen. 

¨Do you know the direction they went in?¨ he asked, removing his apron. 

“I-I’m not sure…I think…they went through the Ash trees!¨ he stammered. ¨But uncle! Didn't you say that under no circumstances are we to go through there?¨ 

¨The Ash tree route?! Dammit! Jace, stay here!!¨ Matsuda leaped, running out of the room.

¨Wait, uncle!!¨ Jace called out. 

If they really are going through the ash tree route… they might come across that thing… and Aleximus can´t handle it! Matsuda worried. 

I've got to get my talismans!! He planned, running onto his room and opening a chest. 

"Why…? Why now?!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aleximus ran through the trees, swatting away branches that obscured his view. 

Anna was right through those trees. He was sure of it. 

He had to make sure she was okay. He HAD to. 

¨ANNA!!¨ he yelled, finally seeing her. 

Wait. What is that!? He noticed, becoming awake of his surroundings. 

A giant waterfall ran down in front of them.

The clear water moved down heavily and standing in front of the waterfall, was a stone statue of a man. 

His hair was long and his facial features were quite elegant, yet rustic. 

His palm was outstretched holding out a ball of fire. What is that…? Is that also magic?... It doesn’t feel different from Anna´s and Uncle Matsuda´s energy,

Aleximus deduced. 

Little Anna looked to be in a trance. She walked slowly, ignoring Aleximus´s words, towards a waterfall. 

She collapsed with no warning, plopping down on the floor as if lifeless. 

"Anna!!" Aleximus dashed to her worriedly. 

He held her forehead. She seemed to be burning up from fever. 

"I got you. No worries…I've got you." He consoled her.

Her arm was bleeding. 

“Huh…?!” a voice behind them gasped in awe.

“That flame shouldn’t even be active, let alone that big!! Is it rune magic?”

Aleximus jumped, raising his fists in an instant. 

“What the…¨ he started.

Jacender walked out of the shadows. 

¨Jace?!?!¨ he exclaimed, ¨What are you doing here? I almost hit you!!¨

Jacender glared at him.

 "Idiot. I told you to wait. You always let your feelings get in the way. Tch. Aren't you supposed to be the smart one? Uncle Matsuda said it's dangerous!" He spat, chewing him out.

"Urghh." Alexinus rolled his eyes. He didn't like it when his brother was right. It left a bad taste in his mouth. 

"Grrr…Shut up!" He responded,

"How did you know where I was? And where's uncle Matsuda?" He realized. 

"I figured this was the direction of the Ash tree path. And I don't know, alright?" He blushed embarrassed. "I…felt…you here." 

Aleximus put his hand over his mouth to avoid a giggle. 

"J-jerk…!" Jacender blushed harder. 

Aleximus turned back towards the statue. Anna was gone. He turned to Jacender. "I finally found Anna..! Let's just get her home!! Uncle Matsuda is just paranoid!! There's no danger anywh–" 

VRMM….

Jace heard a silent pulse and stared at the waterfall. 

VRMM…

That sound…is it coming from the waterfall…? He pondered, walking towards it.

"Jace, be careful. We don't know what it is. Let's get Anna away from it!!" Aleximus warned, skeptical.

Aleximus can hear it too? Jace thought,  confused. 

Aleximus stared up at the statue once again.

This ringing…what is that sound? He thought.

“Jace…we’ve got to–” he winced. “...Argh!!” 

“Go, my child. Find that which awaits you beyond the waterfall…” a voice resonated in his head.

“Only your bloodline can retrieve it…” the voice said domineeringly.

This voice..!! It’s the same as before!! Aleximus fell to his knees, holding his aching head. 

The sensation. He was sure of it. It was magic. And it's origin point was the voice he heard when he was asleep.

“Huh?” Jace turned, snapping out of his daze once he realized his brother was in pain. 

“Aleximus!! Are you okay?!” he said, running ro help him up.

“I–”

BAAM!!!

Jace’s body suddenly went flying back into the waterfall.

Aleximus’s eyes widened.

“JACENDER!!!!” he yelled in worry.

He quickly jumped so he could run to him. 

“I'm com–”

WHAAM!!!

A foot dove into his stomach. 

“AACK–”

He coughed up blood as his body got implanted into the ground.

The pain was piercing. Aleximus was sure a rib or two had been broken.

“Tch! Fuckin’ brat!! You got blood all over my clothes!!” a voice came from overhead. 

A man walked over to Anna's collapsed body and picked her up.

Aleximus struggled for breath.

“Huff…khaa…huff…puff” he panted. 

“SHADDUP!!” the other figure stomped on his stomach again. 

“AIEEEEHHAHGHH!!!!!” his scream echoed through the forest.

“Now…” the figure bent down, his face becoming visible in the moon's light, “...What was that about danger…?”

<Chapter 2: The Codex part 1> Fin