Heartbeat - Chapter One

Heartbeat - Chapter One

Gently tugging the worn, red oak door closed behind him, battering winds and frozen rain greeted his step from home to the outside world. He had chosen to bear no protection from the weather this day as his body had grown accustomed to the unusual and sudden changes. One second, it may be snowing; while the next the sun would be blazing and the temperature would rise to an insurmountable degree. Such had the land become when the Magi chose to attempt in controlling the natural occurrences of the planet.

Tucking his arms in against his side and darting down the cobblestone path, he knew that today he had to hurry and make sure his mind did not wander. Several turns ago, a man had chosen to call the Blood Kyn the demons of the Kyn and the cause for the war that had broken out centuries ago. He continued on to say that they were completely wiped from the world--and for good reason. 'Damned cretins not only began the war, but they fed it! They sacrificed us humans like others would a lamb for a meal! Used our life’s blood to use their damned magic. Its no wonder the Magi wanted them gone!' And on the man had gone, never once noticing that his tender had been growing furious at such close-minded lies. On that same night, he had chosen to tell the man that in the next two turns, he would give him a story that would forever change his mind about the Blood Kyn and the Kyn. It was of how the war had truly begun and ended. Unlike the fellow believed, it was not through some beast mad with power and wishing to take over any and all planets--Zenix and Earth included.

Reaching into the pouch that rested against his thigh, he drew out a small, square-shaped object with rounded edges. It was made of the wood from an Ash tree, with a rune engraved in its middle. It had been given to him by a kind Magi that had taken pity upon the ridicule and death-threats he had often gained by being who--and what--he was. The woman had said it was called a glamour amulet, a magical item that could conceal the true form of whoever, or whatever, wore it, bringing out their true beauty. In his case, however, it made him look as he would if he were another human, concealing everything about him that had labeled him amongst the 'Demons' of the Blood Kyn.

Slipping it around his neck, it took only a few seconds for the magically-imbued item to take its effect. Everything that made him different faded from the view of other mortals that glanced upon him, causing them to see only a young man with long, ice blue hair and silver eye shadow. Along with it, a tribal outfit that made him appear like a hunter, fitting for the small city that they currently dwelled within. Nothing that would cause them alarm or make them suspicious.

Glancing back, he turned a corner too sharply and skidded across the wet pavement, nearly colliding into an innocent who was returning home laden with food and drink. Fortunate for them both, he had done this before and was able to cease his movements and turn in the other direction; just barely missing by the breadth of a hair. Apologizing quickly and taking down a different path, he shoved into the tavern without a second thought. He was specifically asked to be there three rotations after six; or 6:30 in the afternoon as the humans told time. Though they had no watches with which to know, they did have special glasses filled with either sand or water that drained with the pass of every rotation. "You're late," came his bosses voice from the back of the room. "We've been waiting to hear this 'engaging' tale you've been harking about. And what do we find? You can't make it to your job at a time we've designated."

Furrowing a brow and allowing his lip to twitch, he tried to contain himself. His boss had been thorough about his time before. Glancing to the glass that was set on the end of the bar, he couldn't help but notice that it wasn't even close to arranged time. "Sir, it would seem that I'm actually early--not late."

His boss merely shrugged and ran a hand over his bald head, scowling at him. "You think that so, Yukai? What if I told you that this 'ere glass is slower than the rest? But that doesn't matter, and neither does your opinion on it. Get over 'ere and tell us this engaging story you have."

Biting his tongue, Yukai began to wonder why he had ever chosen to work for the man. "First, it’s about the war that you all believe was at the fault of the Blood Kyn. I know otherwise, considering that I had been a part of it."

At that, the group of men surrounding the bar burst into laughter; several slapping the others back. "You? There? It happened three hundred years ago--it isn't possible for a human to live that long, even with a longevity spell in place! Lie to us all you want, this is prob'ly something you heard from another bard."

"If you are quite done insulting me," he muttered, breezing past his boss and the men who were still in an uproar, "I would inform you of how I had been there during the time. Though the doors--" he waved a hand at them. Immediately they swung shut with a click, locked from the outside. There would be no escape from the first floor, nor the others since the windows were barred in case someone tried to leave without paying. "Will have to remain locked. And your weapons taken from your hands."

"What the hell are you doin', Yukai!"

"Making sure you don't try anything that would... distract me. After all, you people came here for this. I did not force you to be a part of it. All I ask is that you follow what I wish for you to do so as no one brings about an... unwanted... death. I'd hate for our image to become ever more tainted with lies."

"So yer a Magi."

"No. I am not a Magi, though I do have the ability to use magick. Now, set your weapons down on that table." No one moved and he merely shrugged. "Fine. Then I will make sure they cannot cut or pierce flesh when the time comes."

His sudden change in thought and demeanor did not shock his boss, considering that it had happened many times before. Though it still mystified him as to why he would suddenly be a completely different person at called times, he had become use to them. Now, however, he found it highly uncalled for. Taking everyone's weapon away? Absurd! Locking them all in with no way of escape? Even worse! "Yukai, you better--"

Before he could finish his sentence, Yukai slipped the glamour amulet from around his neck. "I suggest you be quiet, boss." A show of fanged teeth was tossed in his direction. "Now. Listen closely and listen well. I will inform you of how the Queen, the vile and jealous woman she currently--and forever shall be--is, had begun this whole controversy and labeled the Blood Kyn foul demons to be feared. I do not care if all you hear is treachery and report me to the woman herself. You will have no chance to do so before I am gone from this land and in the next where I am not known or recognized. Is that clear?"

Shocked stares met his bold statement, but then no one complained or said another word. The fact that he was one of them--the beasts that the Queen had spoken so foully about--had brought them all into an unnerving and well-deserved silence. Yukai had forever been serious about this tale of betrayal and love, never once allowing himself to wear his heart and mind on his sleeve; as was common with him. Now, he refused to allow them to interrupt or even gain an inch upon his sudden rise over them. "I know that my sudden change in demeanor will only make you believe more deeply in her words. Thinking that we are heartless and cruel, giving no thought to any others but ourselves. This, I can already tell you is not true of all of us--not even me. Yes, we are loners by nature due to being shunned by you humans and the Kyn, the ones who de-evolved from us, their original form. Some may have turned to... darker paths due to this, but most of us are far more forgiving than any of you all put together."

Licking his lips, he took a deep breath and gripped the edge of the bar, clawed fingers sinking into the wood. He used it to keep himself still and make sure he did not suddenly burst into tears just with the thought of weaving yet again. He had told it before in the larger towns and cities where few--if any at all--had believed him. He knew it well and never changed a single syllable. Now, he was to do it again without breaking down. "You see, it all began with another Blood Kyn that went by the name of Zaki..."