BAHD, Chapter 4: Mother

I know I'm really spurratic with these chapters. XP This is probably the only chapter from this series I even liked.

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Blood of Angels, Hearts of Demons

Mother
Chapter 4

"Wake up brother," May's soft voice drifted into Demon's dream. He felt her lift him into a sitting position. He whimpered and rubbed his eyes. Next to him, he felt his twin brother, sit up by himself. May, his older sister by two years, wiped his face and smiled at him. Her eyes were a red amber color, and her hair was the same shade of brown as Ryo's, and was long, almost reaching her waist. She was only five, but she was very mature for her age, taking care of her baby twin brothers. She was sitting on the edge of his and Lion's bed, with two pairs of almost matching clothes. The oldest brother, Nayota, was on the other side of the bed, helping Lion up. Nayota was older than Demon and Lion by five years, three years for May, and was a very mature eight year old. His hair was spiked, with some spiked being white hair, while others were black. His hair was naturally black and white. His eyes were a light red color.
"Wake up Lion..." he said softly to his younger brother. “We need to hurry and get dressed.”
"But why...? I'm still sleepy," Lion whined.
"We're going to visit Mother," May said, lifting Demon's shirt over his head. At the mention of their mother, Lion and Demon smiled, wide awake. "But we need to hurry," May said, giving Lion's clothes to Nayota. She held up Demon's clothes for him to look at, while Nayota held up Lion's. They were exactly the same, except for the waist sash. Lion's was red, the color of the Razada House, while Demon's was green, the cursed color of the Demon.
"I don't wanna wear green!" Demon whined to his older sister. "Everybody hates green!"
"We don't hate it," May tried coaxing, "And it goes so well with your eyes..."
"But how come Dad and everyone hates me because my eyes are green?" Demon asked.
"It's the color of a curse, a Demon," Nayota said sadly to his baby brother.
"I'll wear the green one!" Lion said reaching for Demon's outfit.
May held it away. "No Lion, you'll get in trouble." Nayota and May quickly dressed the twins and led them into the hallway. May walked holding Demon's hand while Nayota walked holding Lion's hand. They led the twins to a far bedroom of the house. Their mother's bedroom. It was still very early in the morning, and the sun wasn't even on the horizon. Lion tried looking out the windows at the stars while Nayota pulled on his hand to follow. When they came to the door, Nayota turned and faced his little brothers.
"Okay," he started, kneeling down to their height, "You two must do your best to behave, okay? Father and Grandfather are gonna be in there with us, and you know what that means. Don't make Father or Grandfather angry..."
May turned and gently knocked on the door. "Come in," came their father's voice from the inside. The four siblings slowly opened the door and entered the room. A young woman was lying in the bed her eyes closed, resting. She had long, natural white hair, and lightly tanned skin, and when she opened her eyes, they were light red. Two men stood in the corner of the room, behind the door. The younger one was a man with a sharp face, his hair graying, with dark maroon eyes. He was their father, Steel. His face was expressionless, and he didn't acknowledge any of his children once they entered the room. Lion and Demon didn't pay any attention back. They hardly ever saw their father, and barely remembered him. The other man was older, his face wrinkled and just as expressionless as Steel's. He didn't move when the children entered the room, and remained staring at his daughter-in-law, lying sick in bed. His hair was long and gray, his eyes were red, and empty. He was their Grandfather, and head of the Razada House.
The woman in bed smiled, seeing her children, especially her two youngest sons. "Come here," she said weakly, reaching for them. May and Nayota remained by the door, looking down at the floor sadly, while Demon and Lion happily climbed up on the bed next to their mother. She had been sick, sleeping so much lately, they hadn't seen much of her. Alera smiled weakly as her two youngest crawled next to her.
"Are you done being sick?" Lion asked his mother. She smiled and kissed his forehead.
"No, Mommy's still sick..." she said. Her twins didn't seem too downtrodden by it. She held her sons close, trying not to cry in front of them. "Lion, can you do me a favor?" she asked softly. Lion nodded his head, looking curious. She gave him a weak smile. For a three-year-old, her son Lion was very smart, and observative. "Can you promise me, you'll always look after your brother?" she said weakly. Lion cocked his head.
"Na'ota?" he said, attempting to say Nayota's name. Alera smiled.
"No...Demon. Your brother Demon," she said looking at Lion's twin. Lion nodded his head. "Okay...."
Alera smiled at the both of them, silent tears running down her face. Lion was the first to feel that something was wrong. "Mom...?" he asked in a concerned voice. She just smiled and rubbed both of their heads. "I love you two..." she said slowly and quietly, closing her eyes.
"Get them out of here," Steel said sternly to Nayota and May, who was crying. Nayota, without looking at his mother quickly went over and grabbed Demon, while May gently helped Lion slide off the bed.
"What's wrong with Mom?" Demon asked on the way out, looking back. Nayota shushed him and closed the door, leaving Steel and the Head of the Razada House alone. Steel sighed, and walked over to the bed. He slid a sheet over the head of his late wife, and stood silently looking down on her.
"What are you going to do with him?" Steel asked his father. The old man shook his head, and sighed himself. "She begged you to let him live."
"I don't know what to do with him," the older man sighed. "He has the eyes of a Demon, a bad omen..."
"Then kill him!" Steel suddenly yelled, turning to face his father. "If the readings of the Angels are true, then green eyes are the Mark of a Demon! Do what you think will preserve our way of life!"
The old man said nothing to his son’s raves, and stood with his eyes closed. "She begged me...me dear Alera, to give him life...it was her last wish, I cannot ignore it." He turned away from Steel and the bed, his hand over his face and eyes closed. He heard Steel exhale deeply.
"What should we do? The only reason he lived this long was because she begged for his life. Even in Death she begs for his life..." Steel said lowly.
The old man opened his eyes. "A Demon among Angels will bring the destruction of our very way of life...how do we keep him from destroying us and alive at the same time?"
Steel thought for a moment then looked up. "Release him," he said, "Leave him in Hollow to be raised by humans."
"No," said the Head of the Razada House. "We cannot afford to have him out of our sights." He lowered his hands and opened the door to leave. "He will become a servant," he said, "When Lion begins his training and schooling, Demon will serve me in this house until he's eighteen. He'll still receive the rites of passage, like any other member of the House, but he will work here for the rest of his life after."
Steel said nothing. It seemed like the only real thing to do. That and he couldn't argue with his own father. "Then he'll need an engagement as well....I'll search for one suitable for a Demon among Angels."

~~~

Ryo sat alone in his dark, cold, wet dungeon cell. He didn't try to resist when military personnel found him with Janon's dead body and his sword, covered in Janon's blood. He could have tried explaining that it was his father, Steel, and his party that did it, but at the time he thought no one would believe him. He rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes. He remembered the look on Leo and Dimi's face when they saw him being escorted away by five soldiers. Even Kalon and Caza stared at him in disbelief that he had killed another Steward. Ryo hoped Leo would be clever enough to figure out it wasn't him who killed Janon, and would try and get him out.
His cell was stone, and a guard was outside the door, to watch him and make sure he didn't use his Element to help him escape. Ryo lowered his head again. He wondered if the two maids he saved informed anyone of authority that he could use more than one Element. No, he thought, they were too scared, they probably won’t.
A small metal door at the bottom of the cell's entrance opened up, and a plate of food was given to him. Ryo ignored it the way he had ignored the last three meals he received. They all sat on the far corner, feeding mice brave enough to wander into his cell. Ryo kicked the new plate of food away to join them, scattering the rats feeding on his previous meals. He knew better than to eat meals given to traitors.
"You should eat," said the soldier outside. It was someone Ryo didn't know.
"No thanks...." Ryo replied. He had tried talking to the soldier, just out of boredom, but it never led anywhere. He had given up what he felt might have been a day ago. There were no windows, and he knew he was underground. He had no idea how long had passed since he was brought here.
From out in the hallway, he heard a door creak open. Ryo stood up, used to moving with his hands handcuffed now. He walked to the door and pressed his ear against it. He heard Mel's voice.
"I wish to speak with prisoner in cell K-78," she asked the soldier outside politely, but with authority in her voice. The soldier stuttered to reply.
"I would love to, Miss, Ma'am, er, Stewardess, but I got strict orders from the Council--"
"Then I'll take the consequences," Mel said simply, "Now take me to him."
Ryo heard footsteps coming closer to his cell. Clanking noises of a key being inserted in the door echoed in his ear and he backed up. If Mel was intending for him to do what he thought she was, he was ready. The door opened and light flooded his cell. Ryo raised his hands to shield his eyes, but he saw the silhouette of Mel and a tall man in armor. Mel turned to the soldier and gave him a smile. "Thank you, you'll be rewarded....eventually." The soldier gave her a questioning look. In an instant, Mel opened her palm, and blew a power in his face. The soldier jerked away, coughing from the powder. He reached for his sword, but Ryo was faster. With both hands, Ryo grasped the soldier's sword and held it at his neck.
"Relax," Ryo said, as the soldier slumped over against the door coughing and hacking.
"It'll just knock you out," Mel said before the soldier finally closed his eyes and ceased to cough. Ryo lowered the sword and sighed.
"What are you doing?" Ryo said, still looking at the unconscious soldier.
Mel reached back and pulled a hair pin out of her hair. "I'm releasing you," she said, handing Ryo the pin. Ryo look it in his hands and used it to pick his handcuffs loose. "You can use that to get into the armory," Mel continued, "And get your sword back."
Ryo looked up at her. "Why didn't you tell me Kaira was my daughter?"
Mel closed her eyes. "Because, I didn't want you to think you had to take care of us..."
"I would have done it anyway! Did you know you were pregnant when I left?"
"No..." she turned away and sighed. "I found out right after you did....I choose Janon because...." she turned back to him, crying, "Because the Council couldn't find out..."
Ryo sighed, feeling like shit for making her cry again. "You could have told me..." he said quietly. Mel walked past him into the bright hallway. "We need to get you out of here. The Council wants you executed."
Ryo followed her out. "Why?! Didn't you or someone tell them I didn't do it?!"
"We tried," Mel said, leading him to the armory, "But they won’t believe it. They think me and Leo are just trying to get you out because you're family..." she stopped in front of the armory door and kept watch while Ryo picked the lock. The door clicked open and Ryo and Mel slipped inside. "Find your sword..." Mel said quietly.
Ryo started to look, then stopped. "Mel..." he said quietly, not looking at her. She stared at him, waiting. "I wanna tell you something..."
"Okay...what?"
"About when your father died..." He heard Mel exhale deeply behind him, probably to keep herself from crying.
"Not now Ryo," she said weakly. "I know you didn't kill him..."
"I still want you to know what happened..." Mel looked out the door.
"We don't have time..."
"It won’t take long..." Ryo said. Mel sat down on a bench and stared at Ryo, who still wasn't looking at her. "You know how...we were always together back then?" Ryo started, "And I started off as your personal bodyguard?" Mel nodded silently. "You know Dimi...he couldn't keep it quiet that he was dating your best friend, and me and you were..." his voice trailed off.
"It's okay..." Mel said quietly.
"Well...the other guards...soldiers didn't like me because of it, they thought I was taking advantage. Then, when your dad was going on that trip, to the Temple of the Eastern Sky, he asked me to come with him...."

~

Ryo walked behind the caravan, separate from the other soldiers and guards of the Steward of Hollow. They were marching across a prairie, and everyone was tired and hot from the scorching sun. He felt bad for not telling Mel he left but it was a last minute decision, and he couldn't read or write to leave a note. Ahead, he heard the other soldiers talking about him and Mel. He looked down at the ground as he walked in his stifling hot military uniform. The only reason he came was because Mel's father, Eliazar asked him to come. Ever since Ryo had been recruited into the military, and positioned as Mel's bodyguard, Eliazar had taken a liking to Ryo. He taught Ryo how to play chess, and given him his old sword, that Ryo cherished.
Ryo liked Eliazar, as a friend, and saw him as a father figure. His own father, Steel, had never been a father to him as far back as he cared to remember. Eliazar was considerate of him, and he thought Eliazar was just a good person.
Ryo snapped back to reality at the sound of his name being called. "Ryo! Come here!" Ryo recognized it as Eliazar's voice and quickly made his way to the Steward's coach. Eliazar had the coach door open, and was leaning out when Ryo approached.
"Yes sir?" Ryo asked, walking alongside the still-moving coach.
"I told you, don't be so polite around me Son!" Eliazar said happily. "Are you hot Son?" Eliazar had gotten into the habit of calling Ryo 'Son' since he found out he was dating his daughter. A couple he thought 'promised blessings'.
Ryo looked down. Eliazar didn't seem to notice, but the other, older soldiers were glaring at him for getting special attention from the Steward. "Just as hot as everyone else here," he replied.
"Well get in! It's much cooler in here!"
Ryo still didn't look up. "I'd much rather walk, sir. The heat doesn't bother me," Ryo said, barely loud enough for the Steward to hear him."
"Nonsense! No one likes being uncomfortable! Now get in, that's an order," Eliazar said, retreating back into his coach. Ryo slowly entered the coach, still feeling the stares of the other soldiers on his back as he entered. It was much cooler inside the coach. Eliazar motioned for Ryo to sit across from him. Ryo sat obediently.
"You shouldn't give me special treatment, sir..." Ryo mumbled, embarrassed. "The other soldiers think you favor me...”
"But I do!" Eliazar said happily. Ryo couldn't help but smile. "I have something I wanted to tell you anyways..." Ryo looked up at him. "Do you love my daughter Ryo?" he asked casually. Ryo felt his face blush.
"I suppose I do..."
An older soldier named Bron stuck his head into the coach, interrupting Eliazar. "Excuse me sir," he said, bowing his head and ignoring Ryo, "But we're gonna be passing through the forest now. We need water, but we don't have time to stop. Ryo is our youngest, and fastest runner, he'll need to fetch us water."
Ryo looked to Eliazar for permission. He knew the only reason he was going was because the other soldiers wanted him to get out of the coach and do some work. Eliazar motioned his hand for Ryo to go. "Just hurry back, all right Son?" Ryo nodded and left him in the coach alone. As soon as he stepped outside, Bron shoved several empty canteens into Ryo's stomach, making him drop them all.
"We'll be taking this path here," he said pointing to the only path at the edge of the forest they were about to enter. "We'll be going down that path. You go that way," he pointed to the south, through the woods, "and you'll find a stream. Fill all of these canteens then catch up with us."
Ryo nodded and left, thankful to get away from the rest of the soldiers. He wondered why he didn't think about asking for Dimi to come along with them before they left. Even Kalon or Caza would have made better company then Bron.

Night had fallen and Ryo was still trying to catch up with the rest of the caravan. He had several full canteens of water slung over his shoulders, and they kept slowing him down. His head was lowered and he panted, stopping again for a break. He sat under a tree and looked up at the stars. Even the caravan stopped at night, he knew he was getting closer.
In the distance came a sound of an explosion, followed by a flash of yellow light. Ryo stood up and watched, as falling pieces of wood and limbs fell around him from the blast. He saw the limbs, and started running down the path, leaving the canteens behind. In the distance, he heard screams, and the sound of thunder
"Lightning Users?!" Ryo said to himself as he ran. He came into a clearing, where the caravan had stopped, and apparently set up camp. Ryo looked around and saw the coach was on fire. Strewn along the ground were the bodies of the other soldiers. Ryo ran over the bodies, searching among them for Eliazar, if he was there. Ryo called his name, but didn't receive an answer. Ryo cursed loudly.
"Oh there you are..." came a voice from the darkness. "I knew I was missing one body." Ryo drew the sword Eliazar had given him, searching for the source of the voice.
"Who are you?!"
"I," said the voice in a suave tone, "Am an assassin." Suddenly a man landed in front of Ryo. He was as fast as the lightning he summoned, and slender. He wore dark gray and his hair was held back by a bandana. "Janon will not be pleased you survived. He put so much emphasis in his words when he specified to me that you should be killed." He looked at the dead bodies around him. "Shame I used all my Lightning Seals on these..."
"Wait....Janon?" Ryo asked in disbelief. "Janon hired you to kill me?!"
"And the Steward, but he was no problem...I'm sorry to disappoint you, but if I were to fight you now, I'd be killed," he said slyly, eyeing Ryo's sword. As suddenly as he appeared, he was gone. Ryo stared into the darkness, wondering if he was bluffing to catch him of guard. He decided to ignore him for now, and continued to search for Eliazar.
Ryo saw, laying, a body that wore the white robes of the Steward. "Eliazar!" Ryo said, as he collapsed next to the body. He flipped the body over and was surprised. It was Bron in the Stewards robes. Ryo looked back up, at all the bodies dressed in Military uniforms. He dropped Bron and began flipping over bodies, looking for Mel's father, slowly slipping into a panic. All were dead.,. their hearts frozen from being electrocuted.
"Ryo..." a weak raspy voice called out. Ryo turned, and saw Eliazar, in Bron's military uniform, lying on his back, hiding a wound in his stomach. "Ryo...." his voice was weaker.
"Eliazar! It's all right..." Ryo said, trying to hold down his own panic. "It's gonna be okay...' Ryo said, holding back tears, and trying to convince himself it was going to be okay.
"Don't fool yourself....I know I'm dying...." Eliazar said weakly, but he was still smiling. "I'm old...I've lived my life..."
"Don't say that..." Ryo said, starting to cry. "Don't say that, I'm gonna get you back home..." Ryo tried lifting him, but he only caused him more pain.
"Ryo...Ryo take this..." Eliazar almost whispered, digging into his shirt, and pulling out a red pendant, and putting it in Ryo's hands. "Take this.....and....marry Mel..." Ryo stared at Eliazar in silence. He was really dying, and giving him everything. "Marry her, and...overthrow the Council, Ryo...make Hollow...a...better place...without the Council...I know you can..." His grip on Ryo's hand loosened, and then lost all its feeling.
Ryo sat up, and looked around hopelessly. He couldn't go back to Hollow, not now. The Council was too corrupt, they'd pin this on him. Janon would make it so to claim the throne. He'd have to wait before returning to Hollow. Ryo saw his bag with his spare change of clothes, and a canteen, half-full of water. He grabbed both, and started walking towards the North, where he knew the Dead Lands were.

~

Ryo started walking to the West, towards the Dead Lands. Mel and Leo had both helped him escape. He couldn't see Kaira, for she was under the careful watch of the corrupt Council. Leo and Dimi had both promised to watch her and make sure she was taken care of. He told Mel how her father had died, and why. There was nothing else he needed to do.
Ryo saw the border to the Dead Lands and sighed. The possibility of returning was bleak, and almost nonexistent. But it was the only thing to do, if he wished to live. Ryo took one last look back. He could see the city of Hollow in the distant. Its towers and cathedrals were needles on the horizon in contrast to the setting sun. He stood for a moment, taking in the sight, before turning away towards the Dead Lands.

BAHD, Chapter 3: Imperial Traitor

Here is the next chapter XP I hope it's decent, I hate reading all of my old stuff

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Imperial Traitor

Chapter 3

Ryo woke up to feel something poking his face. He rolled over and attempted to go back asleep. The poking continued in his side. "What...?" Ryo murmured.
"Dad said to tell you to get up," came Davis' voice. Ryo rolled back over and opened his eyes to look at Davis. "What time is it?" he asked. Davis shook his head. "I don't know Uncle...we didn't learn time yet in school."
"How old are you?"
Davis stopped and counted his fingers. "Six, and I'll be seven next year."
"No shit..." Ryo let slip.
Davis left him alone, and Ryo got up. He looked around his room. His top bunk was made neatly, as to be expected from Leo, while his floor still had Dimi's messed up makeshift bed. He shoved it into a corner of his room and got dressed. He wore a dark gray shirt and his normal black pants. He reached for his sword, but stopped. It would be better to just leave it for this trip. He left it under his bed.
He left the house without talking to anyone or eating. He didn't feel much like interacting, he just wanted to get him amnesty, if he even could do that. As he walked through town, he figured it must have been almost noon. The markets were crowded and the city was active as he walked through them towards the palace. When walking across the city square a group of people caught Ryo's eye. The group consisted of nearly twenty people, all dressed in dark colors, and all wearing cloaks. None of the common people talked or went near them. They were all grouped together in a corner of the square, and all seemed to be discussing something. Ryo stopped and watched them for a few minutes. They continued to talk, until one person, a taller, possibly male individual saw Ryo watching them. He instantly nudged the person next to them, and all talking within the group stopped. Ryo quickly looked away and continued to the palace. He figured they were just street performers of some kind getting ready for a show, or maybe beggars...
Ryo passed the palace gates and into the palace without anyone stopping him. He felt relieved he didn't have to confront anyone. Once inside Ryo considered his options of where to find Mel again, preferably alone, without the Council or Janon. Or Kaira. He was still uncertain about how he exactly felt about being a father to a little girl he knew nothing about. A little girl that thought Janon was her father. Ryo couldn't really blame them. Janon had dark brown hair, darker than Ryo's, but it was always slicked back, and looked greasy. Kaira's hair was brown too, she could pass as his daughter.
He saw Ayla again in the marble hallway. "Hey Ayla...” he said lowly. She just gave him a warm smile.
"Ryo! Did you see Mel yesterday?" she asked.
Ryo shook his head no. "That's why I'm here again..." he said. Ayla told him Mel was in her bedroom still. Ryo thanked her and left towards the northern wing of the palace. On the way, he stopped and looked down a narrow hallway that led to the servant's quarters. Six years earlier he had his own room down that hallway where he stayed occasionally if he decided not to stay at the old spot with Dimi.
"Leo?" a very vain voice interrupted Ryo's thoughts. Ryo's very soul froze. He knew that voice. He could never forget that sly, poisonous voice. "You're not working today are you?" Janon asked from down the hall. His dark brown hair was slicked back as normal, using more hair gel than any man alive should ever use. His ice blue eyes reflected the coldness of Ice, his element. He wore a white jacket with matching pants, and stared at Ryo, looking slightly surprised. Ryo took a deep breath, thankful he was wearing a long sleeved shirt to hide his tattoo, and he didn't make eye contact, to hide his green eyes.
"No...I'm not..." Ryo said, trying to imitate Leo's more proper style of talking that was slightly different than his, while keeping his hate down to a minimum.
"Hmm..." Janon said in a low voice and brushing a strand of hair out of his eyes. "Well, why are you here then?" Ryo's fists were clenched, his nails digging into his palms and oozing blood slightly.
"Just to...see Mel," he said truthfully. Surely Leo visited Mel once in awhile.
"Why?"
Ryo closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. The tension between them was thick. "Just to....see her. Is that a problem?" he said in a surprisingly calm voice.
Janon was silent, and Ryo could feel Janon eyeing him suspiciously. "Look at me..." Janon said demandingly. Ryo hesitated, then slowly raised his head and looked Janon in the eyes. Their ice blue and green eyes met, and Janon took a quick step back. "Ryo!"
Ryo tried to keep his voice calm. "I'm just here to see Mel, Janon...." he said quietly.”That's all..."
Janon stared for another few seconds, anger creeping into his face. "I don't think that's wise," he said. "I should turn you over to the Council."
Ryo took several steps towards Janon, and stopped several feet in front of Janon. Mel's bedroom was past Janon, and he refused to move out of Ryo's way. "Please move Janon..." Ryo said through gritted teeth.
Janon stared ice daggers at Ryo, not flinching this time. "You killed the last Steward of Hollow..." he said.
"And I'll kill the present Steward," Ryo said, louder, "if he doesn't get out of my way."
The ground suddenly shook, breaking their gaze. Janon stumbled, while Ryo kept his balance. "What the hell was that?!" Janon yelled accusingly at Ryo.
"It wasn't me!" Ryo yelled back defensively. The ground shook again, more violent. In the distance, they heard women scream, then their screams were cut short. All coming from the front gate. Janon looked back up at Ryo, glaring. "Are you up to something?!"
Before Ryo could reply, the door at the end of the hall flew open, with two soldiers running in. "Sir!" They yelled, kneeling before Janon, ignoring Ryo. "Sir, cloaked men are attacking the gates! They're all Users!"
"What?!" Janon said, ignoring Ryo now. Ryo stopped and looked down, thinking about the group of cloaked people he saw near the palace gates earlier. "Summon the army! Find out who these people are!" Janon demanded, and the soldiers bowed, then left, before another blast made the ground tremble. Dust and small pieces of debris started falling off the ceiling with the last shock. Janon glared at Ryo again. "Do you have anything to do with this?!"
Ryo shot him a bad look. "I said no! Now shut up!" A group of older men, all wearing pale robes, entered the great hall. Ryo cursed loudly. The Council of Hollow. Ryo turned and ran back down the hallway the way he came. Behind him, he could hear Janon telling the Council his identity, and hearing the Council yell after him. He ignored them for now, and ran towards the entrance. He stopped at the entrance and looked down at the gates. The gates were completely destroyed, and lied in ruins, the men in dark cloaks, all summoning their elements to destroy the Hollow soldiers opposing them.
Ryo scanned the area, looking for an escape route. He cut across the palace garden to the wall separating the palace from the rest of the city. After taking a quick look around, he summoned the Element Wind, and flew over the wall. He took another quick look around to check if anyone saw him, then took off running down a deserted ally. All through the city, people stood in the streets, questioning one another what the earthquakes were. Ryo ignored these, and shoved his way past groups, heading toward his house.
He ran inside, ignoring Kima and Chele's questions. He ran up the stairs past Leo and Dimi without stopping to his bedroom. He knelt down beside his bed and reached for his sword. He felt the hilt and pulled it out, and started tying it to his waist.
"What's wrong?" he heard Leo and Dimi behind him.
"The palace is under attack or something!"
"What?!"
"I don't know!" Ryo said quickly, standing back up and rushing past them. "I'm going back!" he yelled back at them, "This might get me amnesty, whether Janon likes it or not!" he ran back down the stairs, nearly running over Davis and Taj, back towards the palace.
The gates were completely destroyed, and there cloaked offenders were nowhere to be seen. Soldiers' corpses littered the ground, but Ryo ignored them for now. He drew his sword and carefully approached the palace entrance. His mind tried to figure out who these people were. All of them were clear Element Users, and they were all strong. Stronger than most Users in Hollow, he knew that much. Were they some kind of cult, or organization, rebels against Hollow's government? But there were no known rebels to Hollow.
The doors to the palace were scorched by fire, and blown clean away. Ryo checked around carefully for anyone, but saw no one. No soldiers, no cloaked Users, no one. Then he heard voices coming from just inside the doors. He stepped over corpses of the dead soldiers, scorched, drenched, electrocuted, grounded bodies. He leaned close to the blown away doors and looked around inside the palace's entrance. The group of cloaked Users all stood together, all focusing on the one in the center.
"We'll split up!" the leader said to the rest. "Search the palace for the Steward, Janon! The traitor to the Empire!" The other cloaked men all yelled in unison at the mention of Janon's name. The leader's voice sounded familiar to Ryo, but he couldn't recognize where. "Search the palace!" the leader repeated, "When you find him, kill Janon! And..." he held up a picture Ryo couldn't see. "Apparently, our traitor had a daughter! Kaira!" Ryo's heart stopped, and he looked away, leaning against the wall outside. "Find Janon, and his offspring! KILL THEM BOTH!!" the leader yelled, receiving a roar from his allied, where they all took off in different directions to scour the palace for the Steward and his daughter.
Ryo remained leaning against the wall outside. They were after Janon, and his own daughter, Kaira. What did she ever do? Ryo thought. She's just a little kid! He still had no idea who they were, or what they meant when they said Janon was a traitor to the 'Empire'. There was no other country in the world other than Hollow. He looked down at his blade. It reflected the light of the afternoon sun, and he saw his own reflection. And in it, he saw a part of himself in Kaira. She had his hair, her mother's eyes...
"Ryo!" He looked up and saw Leo and Dimi running up. "Who did this?!" Leo asked.
"Shit!" Dimi said, looking at the damage done to the castle. Before Ryo could say anything, two other men ran up. One had short black hair, and grey eyes. The other had longer, blonde hair and golden eyes. They were both wearing military uniforms.
"Dimi, you dumbass, what are you doing here?!" the man with black hair said, glaring at Dimi. Ryo knew both of them. The man with the black hair was Kalon, Dimi's 'friend' he knew from when Dimi lived in an orphanage. He was an Earth User, and constantly fought with Dimi. Ryo didn't care for him or his harsh attitude much. The blonde was Caza, an ally of Kalon, and a loner. He had also lived at the orphanage with Kalon and Dimi, before Ryo met them. He didn't talk much, and he was a Wind User. Ryo, Dimi, Kalon, and Caza had all been recruited into the military when they were eighteen.
Dimi, despite the circumstances, and being his usual self, smiled at Kalon. "Hey Kalon, someone attacked the palace." he said, stating the obvious. Kalon opened his mouth to retort back. "Don't start Kalon!" Leo yelled at Kalon. Caza put a hand on Kalon's shoulder to hold him back.
Ryo shook his head. They had no time. "There are guys in dark cloaks!" he said to everyone, stopping Kalon and Dimi. "I heard them talking about assassinating Janon! Find him!" he said, turning to leave into the palace and track down the cloaked men. Kalon, Caza, and Leo all left in different directions, all of them drawing their own swords. Dimi hesitated, and gave Ryo and questioning look. "I thought you hated Janon," he said.
"I do," Ryo said, "But he's still married to Mel, and the Steward, I still have to protect him..." Without another word, Ryo jumped away up the staircase. He didn't tell the others, but he wasn't looking for cloaked men, or Janon. His thoughts were on Kaira, and finding her before one of the other Users did.
He passed a door, and saw two cloaked men inside. They were ransacking the room, while two maids hid in the cowered in the corner, being ignored. Ryo sighed. He couldn't just leave them. He walked into the room, and pointed his sword at the two men. "Who are you?!" Ryo demanded. The two cloaked Users looked up and Ryo. One stood straight, taller than Ryo and laughed. "That is none of your concern!" he laughed. Ryo didn't move, and held his sword steady. The carvings gleamed in his eyes. "This one has a death wish!" said the other cloaked man, taking steps towards Ryo.
Ryo smirked, and in an instant, he was behind the first men, his sword rippling with the blue power of the Element Water. He drove his blade deep into the man's back, then kicked him off. The cloaked man fell to the floor, bleeding and dying. The other cloaked man, drew his own, curved blade that burned fire. He was a Fire User. He swung at Ryo, and he dodged by jumping back to the wall. Ryo kicked off the wall, summoning the Element Wind to his blade. "Shattered Wind!" Ryo screamed as he swung his sword at his opponent. A shock wave emitted from his sword, hitting the man in the chest and sending him flying back, colliding with the wall. Before he could recover, Ryo sheathed his sword, and ran at the cloaked User. He slammed his palm against the man's chest where his Shattered Wind had hit him. "Flames!" he yelled, and instantly, his hand was engulfed in fire that burned through the cloaked User's chest, killing him.
Ryo withdrew his hand, and let the dead body slide to the floor. The two maids whimpered next to him. "Kaira!" Ryo said to the maids, "Where is she?!" The maids whimpered, then one pointed to the window. Ryo gave her a questioning look, but went to the window. He looked out but saw nothing. "She's out there, hiding on the ledge..." one maid said between whimpers. Ryo opened the window and leaned out. Just out of sight of the window, sat Kaira, her knees pulled to her chest, and desperately clinging to the wall to avoid falling off the ledge.
"Kaira," Ryo said softly and reached for her. She opened her eyes, and smiled. "Ryo!" she said, sounding relieved, and reached for him. He took her in his arms and brought her back inside. "What's happening? Where's my mom?" Kaira asked, still clinging to Ryo, and looking scared.
"I don't know," Ryo said quickly. He turned to the maids. "Get out of here, and warn the citizens not to approach the palace." The maids both nodded and hurried out of the room.
"Shouldn't we leave too? After we find Mom?" Kaira asked. Ryo stood for a moment thinking, still carrying Kaira. "Maybe," he said finally, making his way to the door, and carefully looking out, "First I need to get you to a safe place, then I'll go find your mom, okay?" Kaira nodded sadly and hid her face in his chest. "I need you to be a good girl, and keep quiet, okay?" Ryo asked. Kaira nodded again. "And if I tell you to run, no matter what happens to me, you run, understand?" Kaira waited a moment before nodding again.
Ryo left the room into the hall and started heading to the North Wing of the palace, carrying Kaira with one arm, and holding his sword with the other. "Can you Use an Element yet?" he asked, both curious, and trying to keep Kaira's mind off bad things. "I just started training as a Lightning User..." she said quietly. Ryo went carefully, but quickly through the palace, watching for cloaked Users. He could only think of one safe place in the whole palace to hide Kaira.
"Put the Princess down!" a voice echoed through the hall. Ryo spun around and saw a cloaked man, holding a sword brimming with the blue power of Water. Ryo put Kaira down and stepped in front of her, holding his sword at the ready. "Run." he said to her. Kaira, looked between Ryo and the enemy, then ran away down the hall, and hid behind a pillar. She didn't wish to be alone, and watched Ryo. The cloaked man ran towards Ryo. Ryo stood his ground, and braced his sword, glowing with green energy. The blades met fiercely, and Ryo spun around for another strike. The Cloaked man blocked easily, and summoned more energy to his sword. "Water Scorn!" he yelled, and multiple energy waves of blue Water power flew towards Ryo. Ryo placed his sword in front of him, summoning a shield, reflecting the waves into the walls and ceiling. When his force field broke, his heart stopped. Kaira was standing behind the cloaked User. Before anything else happened, Kaira formed her hands into a circle and pressed the against the User's back. "Lightning Blast!" she yelled, and electricity cracked in her hands, sending the User flying away, past Ryo into a wall. He lied still, unconscious.
Ryo stared, impressed at Kaira's skill at such a young age, but furious with her for not running. He ran to her and grabbed your hand. "Don't do that again!" He yelled at her. "Next time, just leave it to me! You'll just get hurt!" Kaira looked hurt, then looked down. Ryo was suddenly stabbed with guilt for yelling at her. "I'm sorry," he muttered, started to walk again, holding her hand towards the North Wing. "You just had me worried..."
Ryo led Kaira into the North Wing of the palace, towards the King's bedchamber. "Where are we going?" Kaira asked, running to keep up with Ryo. "A safe place," Ryo answered, swinging open the door to what was Janon's room. The room was still unaffected by the intruders, with a large canvas bed. This room had once belonged to Mel's father. Before he died. Ryo led Kaira to the far wall, near the doorway to the bedroom's balcony. The wall was made of stone, with a crack running down the wall. Ryo released Kaira's hand and dug into his shirt. He pulled out a dark red, round pendant on a silver chain.
"What are you doing here?!" Janon demanded. Ryo looked back to see Janon standing in the doorway with Mel. Kaira's face lit up. "Mom! Dad!" she said happily running to her mother. Mel held Kaira close, thanking the gods for her safety. Ryo turned back to the wall and searched along the crack, ignoring Janon's question. "What are you doing?!" Janon yelled louder, grabbing Ryo's shoulder. Ryo shoved him away violently, finding a small hollowed out hole on the crack.
"I'm saving my daughter!" Ryo said with poison in his voice, glaring at Janon with his green eyes. Janon stared. "Your daughter...?" Janon looked up at Melody, holding her daughter. "Is this true...?" he asked her, his eyes lowering. Mel lowered her eyes, and nodded. Kaira looked between the three adults, confused. Ryo turned back to the hole on the wall, and inserted his red pendant into the spherical hole. Instantly the crack started to glow, illuminating unseen marks along the wall. Janon, Mel, and Kaira all watched in wonder. Ryo wasn't as affected. Mel's father had shown him this hiding spot long ago.
Ryo put his hands in between the crack, and pushed open a secret door that led to a small crawlspace, big enough for two grown adults. "Mel, you and Kaira hide in here," he said. Mel quickly went to the hiding spot and placed Kaira in the hole. "What about you two?" she asked.
"We'll fight them off," Ryo said quickly, pushing her in, and giving her his pendant. "Your dad gave this to me, before he died..." Ryo said quietly. "Use this to get out once everything is over." Without another word, he closed the door, perfectly hiding them within the wall. He stood up and faced Janon, who was still glaring with hatred.
"She's your daughter..." Janon hissed evilly. "I should have known. The way Mel suddenly agreed to marry me after you left..." Ryo sighed. "We need to get out of here Janon," He said turning to leave. He stopped, hearing voices in the hall. Instinctively, Ryo held up his sword, ready. Janon remained still, not looking away from Ryo.
The door to the room was blasted open, and ten Users instantly surrounded Janon and Ryo. Ryo cursed under his breath, while Janon looked around at his enemies, looking terrified. The leader, walked into the circle, his face hidden, and stared at Ryo. "Lower your sword," he demanded. Ryo slowly lowered his sword, praying Janon wouldn't indicate where Kaira and Mel were hiding. The leader stepped over, and took Ryo's sword into his own hands. He observed it, and turned the blade to Janon's neck.
"You are a brave man, to turn on the Empire, Ghost," the man said. Ryo didn't say anything, three of the other offenders holding their swords at Ryo's neck. They all left Janon to their leader. His voice sounded so familiar to Ryo, if only he could remember.
"I just realized..." Janon said, "That the Empire isn't as great as it thinks..."
The sword cut slightly into Janon's neck. Janon did his best not to flinch more than he needed to. "That's too bad," the leader said. Ryo stared at the leader's right arm, holding his sword. He wore a long sleeve shirt and white gloves, but between them, he could see the man's arm. It was made of metal. Ryo's eyes widened. He remembered who's voice that was. "Steel..." Ryo said loud enough for him to hear. The leader looked away from Janon at Ryo. "Do I know you?" he asked threateningly.
Ryo looked into his eyes under his hood. "I'm your son..." He saw his body go rigid. "Demon! It is you..." Steel said, pulling down his hood, revealing his face. His hair was short, and graying. His eyes were a deep shade of maroon, and his face resembled Ryo and Leo's distantly. The other Users murmured among themselves, while Steel examined Ryo's eyes. "Your eyes are still green, Demon. You've been gone for almost ten years," Steel said, still pointing Ryo's sword at Janon's neck. "The Razada House misses you. When were you planning on coming back?"
"Never."
"Huh..." without looking, Steel drew the sword slowly across Janon's neck. Janon choked, blood squirted from his neck, spraying some on the other Users, as well as Ryo. His body fell to the floor, and continued to bleed. Ryo looked upon Janon in pity. Steel stared at his son for a long time, ignoring Janon bleeding to death at his feet. He looked like he was exploring his options. "I'll leave you for now..." he said finally, when Janon's body stopped bleeding, and died. He held up Ryo's sword, painted red with Janon's blood, and dropped it next to Janon's body. "The whole country will now think you killed him," Steel said, "I'll see you again someday, Demon. Your eyes should still be green when we do." Ryo simply stared at his father, who smirked at him. "Tell your brother hello for me," he said evilly. Steel disappeared, teleported, along with the rest of the Users, leaving him alone with Janon's body at his feet, slain by his own sword.

INTERWEBS!

I FINALLY GOT INTERNET AT HOME! ^^ Which means I can update now more often and actually comment and respond to a lot of people here ^^ That's probably what i missed the most!

Also, I will be continuing to post my story chapters on here when I get time XP

I'm SOOOOO sorry for not commenting on you guys' suff, I just haven't had internet for a long time! I promise to be trying to comment mroe often, but please remember I now have a full-time job as well, so I gotta be balancing and busy

Chapter 2: Remains

I know it's not that good, and I've changed a lot since writing this, but here is chapter two. ^^"""

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Remains
Chapter 2

Ryo walked up the castle steps quickly.
I can't believe it's been six years, he thought. Nothing had changed. Not Dimi's odd social behaviors, not the city, the palace, nothing. After everything that had happened, not even the laws were enforced more than they had ever been. Hollow had never been a country of high very crime rates.
At the top of the stairs stood two military guards on either side of the open oak doors. Ryo sighed, he didn't want to have to face more military personnel. It was already getting to late afternoon, and he still had business. To his surprise, they made to movement to stop him as he reached the doors. Ryo stooped between them and stared.
"Um...it's okay if I...enter, right?" he asked the guard to the right. The guard gave him a surprised look.
"Yes, of course Leo. The Stewardess has made it very clear to let you in whenever you wish, and not to interfere."
Ryo had to force himself to not laugh. It had been so long since he and his twin brother Leo had been in the same city, and he had almost forgotten what it was like to be confused as the other.
"Okay....thanks, I guess..." he muttered quietly, not too sure how Leo would have handled the situation. They hadn't seen each other in six years. Leo probably would have told them it was all right, and it was no big deal.
The castle was nearly empty except for a few servants and maids going to and fro on their duties. No one paid him much attention. But he didn't mind. He remembered his way around the castle. He just needed to know one thing.
A maid carrying an armload of bed sheets came scurrying down the main staircase, not paying Ryo any attention. Ryo saw her and recognized her at once.
"Ayla!" He called out, his voice echoing slightly in the castle hall. The blonde maid stopped and gave Ryo a surprised look.
"Oh, hello Leo," she said quickly, brushing some strands of hair out of her face. Ryo put on a smile, being confused as Leo again. They must still look as identical as ever.
"No..." Ryo corrected, "It's Ryo, remember?"
Ayla let out a small shriek and dropped her laundry. Ryo flinched from her scream, not sure of what to do, or if she'd attract unwanted attention.
"What are you doing here?!" she whispered. Ryo paused, not sure of how to answer someone in her state of mind.
"Well… I came here to see Mel, actually...for amnesty."
Ayla looked away for a moment, then said, "You shouldn't be here you know...the Council still doesn't like you after six years. And after Mel's father...she might not wanna see you, Ryo."
Ryo's face fell. He knew that much, but he couldn't do anything else technically legal in the country without the Stewardess' help.
"I know that..." he replied softly, "But I still have to see her or the Council..." He drifted off, hoping Ayla would understand without him having to explain. Ayla nodded her head and began picking up the now ruined bed sheets. Ryo felt funny with her picking up a mess he'd caused and knelt down to help her.
"If you must see her, stay out of the audience hall, okay? She should be in the library. Just try not to attract any attention, Ryo. Lots of people around here still don't trust you..." Ayla said without looking at him. Ryo nodded silently. He noticed Ayla glance to his side at the sword tied to his waist.
"You shouldn't have brought that, if the Council sees you, they'll send the army after you. Make sure you see the Stewardess first..." she finished and stood up. Ryo tried giving her a thankful smile.
"Yeah, okay..." he said. When he had worked here six years ago, she had been one of the few other servants he liked. "I'll just pretend I'm Leo some more. Everybody seems to give him anything he wants." Ryo said, before turning to leave.
He proceeded up the stairs Ayla had come down. It led to a great hallway open to the garden below. The great pillars were made from Marble, like most of the castle and had carvings that covered the whole surface area. All but the last few great pillars held these carvings. Ryo glanced at them as he walked by. He knew what they were meant to say. They told stories of the past, and the uncarved marble was meant for future carvings. Ryo just wished he could read them. He was twenty-eight and he couldn't read. He passed the marble into a smaller, simpler hallway made from stone.
Maybe I should have at least tried to learn to read while I was gone, he thought. The hallway led to a wing of the castle that had the library. He stood before the untouched doors and remembered what Ayla had said about the Council. They sometimes held meetings in the library. Then he also remembered what she had said about the audience hall. Ryo decided he would just have to be careful.
He slowly slid open one of the library doors and looked inside. He could see the meeting table and it was empty. Relieved, he entered the library quietly and shut the door. The library appeared to be empty. He looked around quickly, hoping to find the person he was looking for. He didn't see her in the immediate area and slowly but quietly made his way down the aisle of bookshelves. Seeing the shelves of books made him regret not learning to read again.
Then he saw her. She was a young woman with long light brown hair tied loosely back, wearing a long maroon dress and skimmered along the floor. She stood a small ways away, staring idly at a book she was holding. Ryo smiled. She had always been a bookworm when they had hung out together. It was no wonder she was in the library.
Ryo crept closer in the next aisle over, being as quiet as he possibly could. Mel didn't seem to be aware that he was even there. She put the book back on the shelf and sought another, brushing her fingers along the spines.
Ryo emerged behind her and slowly crept closer, not wanting to give away his position. When he was close enough he quickly grabbed her around the waist from behind and embraced her.
"Hey Mel--!" Ryo started before he was cut off by Mel's piercing scream, immediately followed by her elbow coming into contact with his face. Ryo stumbled back, releasing her and holding his face, muttering a curse to himself. Mel swung around and glared at him with her deep blue eyes, fists clenched. She was smaller than Ryo, but he knew that she could easily defend herself.
"What the hell is the matter with you, Leo?!" she yelled at him. "You can't just do that to people!"
Ryo lifted his head to look at her while checking his nose for blood. "Goddammit Mel! Could you have hit me any harder?!"
"You deserve it! Coming in here and-" she stopped in mid-sentence. Ryo looked up and saw her staring into his eyes. Ryo knew why. Even though Ryo and Leo were identical twins, they had their differences. Where Ryo had deep green eyes, Leo's eyes were a fiery red.
Mel stared at his eyes, seeing they were green. Her eyes then went to his right arm. The second physical difference Ryo and Leo had. Ryo had a black tattoo around his upper right arm, where Leo had his on his left arm.
Mel's eyes grew wide, and she covered her mouth with her hands. Despite the pain afflicted by Mel's blow, Ryo smiled at her. Neither said anything, while Mel slowly lowered her hands and stared at Ryo.
"What are you doing here?!" she whispered harshly.
"Mel, there's no one else here." Ryo said, not bothering to whisper.
"Shh!" Mel hissed harshly, looking around. Ryo, taken aback, glanced around also, only to confirm that they were alone in the library with nobody else. It slightly confused him
"Come on!" Mel said grabbing his arm and leading him to the back of the library.
"What's wrong? There's no one else!" Ryo insisted, but it didn't faze Mel. When they were in the farthest corner of the library she released his hand and turned to face him.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" she said, louder now.
"What do you think I'm doing here?!" Ryo replied, being quieter to hopefully make her feel more comfortable.
"You shouldn't be here Ryo! The Council hates you!"
"Then get me amnesty or whatever! Do it before the Council finds out, and they won’t be able to touch me!"
"I can't do that Ryo!"
"Yes you can!"
"You killed my father!"
Ryo stopped. He didn't want to discuss this. Not now.
"Mel, you know I didn't do anything! It was a setup!"
"I have to try and prove it to the Council, Ryo. Killing the Steward is a serious crime! I can't grant you amnesty..." She turned away and rested her head on one of her hands. Ryo stood without saying a word. This wasn't going as he had planned or hoped it would.
"Well...what am I supposed to do? Why can't you? You're the Stewardess! You can do anything you want!" he said again. Mel turned to him. Her face looked sad, almost painful.
"You should leave Ryo..." she said softly. Ryo sighed. He never liked politics. It was always too complicated and forced people to do stupid things that could have been handled simply. Mel's soft pleas weren't enough for him to just leave.
"Is that what you really want...?" he asked. Mel just nodded. "But why can't you grant me amnesty? Just answer me that."
Mel shook her head.
"Because...I'm the Stewardess, but I'm not the one in control..."
Ryo lowered his eyebrows. "What do you mean...you're Mel, the Stewardess, you're practically the Queen! How could you not have power?"
"Because, I got married."
Ryo's body froze. Mel was married. He suddenly was forced to remember the past six years, and the years he and Mel spent together before her father died. The whole time he had been in the Dead Lands, he had anticipated coming home to Mel. Sure, she had been the heiress to the country, and he was only a soldier, but it had never mattered before.
"Married...?" he said quietly, almost intimidating. A few people came into mind when he tried to imagine the man who stood by her at the altar. One face, Ryo hated more than anyone... "To who...?"
Mel gave Ryo a hopeless, sad look before saying that one name.
"Janon..."
Ryo gritted his teeth. Janon. If there was a soul in the world he hated more than death it was him. "Melody, why him?"
"Who else?!" Mel screamed back. "What was I supposed to do?! My father was dead! You killed him, and you disappeared for almost six years! You knew I couldn't wait!"
"But I thought you would anyway!" Ryo yelled back, but not as loud.
They were interrupted by a small girl's voice echoing through the library.
"Mom? Mom?" it called out quietly. Ryo froze out of fear of being discovered and shock from the title 'mom'. Different ideas flashed through his unprepared mind.
"Mom....?" he said quietly, looking at Mel with questioning eyes. The girl's voice still called out. Mel sighed, and answered back.
"Back here Kaira..."
Small footsteps approached and a small girl emerged from between the bookshelves. She was small, with short brown hair and blue eyes identical to her mothers. She wore a short pink dress and walked barefoot. She looked only five years old. She gave Ryo and curious stare, and Ryo returned it. She was five years old...
"Hi..." she said softly to Ryo, giving a small wave. Ryo just stared.
"What is it Kaira?" Mel said, bringing Kaira's attention away from Ryo.
"Taj and Davis came, and they wanna play in the castle, but Dad said we can't play in my room..." she said. Her voice was light and sweet.
"Then go to the garden, stay out of your father's way, all right?" Mel said kneeling down to her daughter. Ryo felt some relief, followed by unexplained anger. This girl was Janon and Mel's daughter. He wondered if they had any other children. He was brought back to reality by being addressed.
"Who's he?" Kaira asked looking back up at Ryo. "He looks like Davis' dad, but he has green eyes..."
"This is Davis' uncle, Ryo. He's Leo's twin brother." Mel said softly, looking up at Ryo also.
A lot more has changed than I thought, Ryo thought to himself. Mel was married to Janon with a daughter. There was nothing left, it seemed like.
"Do you know Uncle Dimi?" Kaira asked, walking to Ryo. Ryo took a step back, shaking his head no. "Dimi is Taj's dad." she said informatively. Ryo's head lowered. He thought Dimi and Kima always were a good couple, but couldn't imagine Dimi as a full-time father.
"Oh..." he said quietly.
"Yeah, they're my only friends," Kaira went on. She reached up and grabbed Ryo's hand. "Come on, we can see them, and show Davis you look like his dad! Leo told us once he had a brother named Ryo! You look just like him! You can come play with us until Uncle Dimi and Leo come to pick up Taj and Davis!"
Ryo stiffened up when Kaira grabbed his hand. She spoke a lot for someone her age, and he refused to move. Mel reached out and took Kaira's hand off Ryo's.
"Don't do that Kaira..." she said to her daughter. Ryo rubbed his hand where Kaira had held it. “Go play with Taj and Davis, okay sweetie?"
"Okay...” Kaira said, turning to leave. "Bye Ryo!" she said as she left.
Ryo and Mel watched her leave. When they heard her close the library door, Ryo turned to Mel, with some regret in his eyes.
"I'll just go then...I doubt Janon's ever gonna do anything for me, besides steal my life..." he said in monotone. Mel didn't say anything. She just looked down and said something inaudible. Without another word Ryo left Mel, leaving the way he came in. He passed the big staircase and walked through the open castle doors without anyone bothering him. When he passed the garden he heard Kaira laughing, and glanced at the two boys with her. One had short, messy blonde hair, which he figured was Taj, Dimi's son. The other had dark brown hair that was spiked, and looked a lot like Ryo. He figured that was his nephew, Davis.
He left the castle and at the gate, he saw Dimi again, still at his post. When he saw Ryo, Dimi jumped up and tried giving him a forced smile. "Hey, so...you saw Mel?" he asked, trying not to sound like an ass.
"Yeah..." Ryo muttered not wanting to talk about it. Dimi probably knew about it for some time now, since Dimi's girlfriend and Mel used to be best friends and Dimi has ways of finding out everything in people's lives. Ryo wanted to change the conversation. "You have a son Dimi?"
Ryo hoped he didn't sound defeated. Dimi smiled.
"Yeah, I know, huh? Happened right after you disappeared! Seriously, the morning after you were gone, Kima told me she was three months pregnant. I almost died! Kima named him Taj, and I thought it was a good name, he has blonde hair..." Dimi went on talking like he normally did, and Ryo half listened. He just wanted to go to his old home and forget about what could have been his life.

"Well, I should probably go get Taj, my shift's almost over...oh, and I told Leo I'd get Davis too...." Dimi said getting up and stretching. "I'll be back after, you can come with me or..."
Ryo gave his friend a stern look that clearly said 'there's-no-way-I'm-going-back-in-there.' Dimi trailed off and gave a nervous laugh.
"Yeah, I thought so....you can wait here, or go on without me. I just have to get my kid."
Ryo told him he'd wait, and was left alone at the gate. He still had trouble believing Dimi was a father to a human child. He was so reckless and irresponsible, having him father and raise a child was almost funny. The only reason Dimi kept his job was because he was actually a skilled Water User, someone who could summon and manipulate Water. Only a small percent of people in the world could use one of the Elements. And those who could were drafted into the army because of their abilities. Ryo and Dimi were drafted when they were eighteen because of it.
Ryo waited and soon he saw Dimi walking down the palace steps dressed in his normal black pants and white button-up shirt. With him was Taj and Davis, both clinging to each of Dimi's legs and he dragged them along, trying to convince them to let go. Ryo couldn't help but laugh at Dimi. When Davis saw Ryo he let go of Dimi's leg and stared.
"Hey Davis, this is your uncle Ryo! Remember your dad told you about his twin brother?" Dimi said hastily, obviously trying to dump the two boys on Ryo and free himself.
The two walked home slowly, mostly due to the two kids on Dimi's legs, towards the edge of town. Halfway there, Dimi collapsed, and Ryo was forced to carry Davis on his back while Dimi carried Taj.
When they finally made it to the house the sun had set. Ryo looked up at what used to be his house. It was a large house, almost large enough to be considered a mansion. From the outside, it looked like a dump. Some windows were still boarded up from when they first bought it. Cracks ran up some of the walls, and vines grew along the walls and windows.
When the house was built, it was abandoned due to construction mishaps, and it was suspicioned that the house was not safe to life in. Years later, Ryo, Leo and Dimi managed to buy it together, and they fixed it to be a suitable living place. In a way, Ryo supposed the house was still his. He had been gone for nearly six years, and he didn't know what Dimi had done to the place since he wasn't there to stop him.
Taj and Davis ran ahead into the house while Ryo and Dimi waited outside. "Leo still lives here?" Ryo asked.
"Yeah..." Dimi sighed, "Kalon and Caza don't come by as much anymore. Your room's the same though..."
Ryo nodded and they stood in silence. From inside he could hear Dimi's girlfriend, Kima, yelling at Taj for something. He also heard another female's voice, slightly deeper, mixed along with the sounds of Taj and Davis laughing. Dimi looked up at Ryo.
"You ready?"
Ryo nodded again and went to the door. The kitchen had definitely changed. Before it had only been a rickety table barely strong enough to support Dimi when he passed out on it. Now there was a strong wooden table, and a big one at that. There was a fully functioning sink and counter along the walls as well. Ryo thought Kima must have been responsible for making the house more suitable for living in.
Kima stood at the table, feeding Taj. Her hair was a shimmering white that went a little past her shoulders, and was held back loosely by a hair clip. Kima's eyes were golden brown and her skin slightly tanned. At the other side of the table was another woman about the same age. Her skin was also slightly tanned, and her hair was long and black. Her eyes were a deep shade of violet and on her lap sat Davis, lazily sucking on a popsicle. Taj was protesting eating his vegetables.
"Dimi, get your son to eat! He can't have a popsicle until he eats!" Kima yelled without looking up when she heard someone enter through the kitchen door. The woman with Davis stared in amazement at Ryo.
She must be Davis's mother, Ryo thought.
Dimi gave a nervous laugh. Kima had always been rough on him, and very demanding, where Dimi was a pushover idiot. But still, they got along famously, to everyone's surprise.
"Look who came back Kima!" Dimi said pushing Ryo in front of him, a makeshift shield. "Ryo!"
Kima looked up and her mouth fell open. Ryo just smiled. He and Kima got along all right, as long as he never got in her way. He had no idea how her and Dimi had a son.
Kima stood up straight and looked Ryo over. She gave him an unusual smile, considering it was Kima; it was almost a happy one.
"Well, Ryo, you look the same as ever. This is Chele, your sister-in-law," she said hastily, addressing the other woman still in the room. She gave Ryo a simple smile, acting rather shy. Davis looked up over his head at his mother.
"I told you he was here! I wasn't lying!" he chimmed. Chele just smiled at her son, while Taj managed to escape his chair into the living room.
"Where's Leo...?" Ryo said quietly to Chele, not knowing what she's been told about the man who supposedly killed the late Steward of Hollow. Chele made a motion upward. Ryo and Dimi muttered a bye then left into the living room. Ryo smiled that the living room area hadn't changed much.
"What's Leo doing? Doesn't he work?" Ryo asked as they climbed the stairs.
"Yeah, he normally works in the army like the rest of us," Dimi answered. "But I covered for him today, since he stayed home to fix something I broke..."
"What did you break that'd cause him to..." Ryo didn't finish. He saw. At the top of the staircase were two holes in the ceiling that led to the attic. As he looked down the hall he saw three more holes. All large enough for a grown man to crawl through into the attic. Ryo couldn't help but laugh.
"What the hell did you do?!"
Dimi laughed a little. "I bought a 'Make Your Own Fire Works' kit from this guy at work, but I made them bigger than the instructions warned, and set a few off in the attic. I though no one would find out...especially Kima..." he said almost innocently. Ryo looked up one of the holes and saw the ceiling of the house.
"Dimi, you are undoubtedly the dumbest person I know," he said sincerely. Dimi just smiled. He wasn't affected by those types of comments. He appreciated them. A trait about him Ryo found inspiring at times.
"Is that you, Dimi?" a male voice came from the attic. It was lighter, and sounded almost exactly like Ryo's. He knew it had to be his twin brother.
"Yeah!" Dimi yelled up one of the holes. "Look who I found! You'll never guess!"
"Ryo."
"How'd you know?!" Dimi whinned, sounding hurt like a little kid.
"I heard him, and you just told me." From the hole Dimi was looking up appeared Leo. He was exactly identical to Ryo, with his eyes and tattoo being the only exceptions. His hair was a little longer than Ryo's and hung over his eyes more. He leaned lazily over the hole and looked at Ryo.
"Hey Ryo," he said casually, as though they had seen each other just last week.
"Hey..." Ryo said just as casually. Neither of them felt the need to start spilling their guts in the fashion Dimi did. Leo turned back to Dimi, still leaning out of the hole in the ceiling.
"I only got to fix three holes today, Dimi. The rest will have to wait. What the hell were you thinking?" he asked quietly. Dimi got a thoughtful look.
"I thought that they would be awesome for blowing something up, but I needed to test them, and I thought Kima would get mad at me again if I blew up her kitchen, so I thought the attic would be a good spot, but I forgot I made them bigger than what Professor Bob recommended," he answered honestly, speaking very fast. Ryo gave him a hopeless look.
"And blowing them up outside never occurred to you?"
"No, 'cause then people would see the big holes from the bombs! I'm not that dumb!"
Ryo and Leo exchanged the hopeless looks they shared.

Ryo's room was the same as Dimi had told him. His bed was built into the wall, and with another bunk bed built in above it. Back when it was just him the three of them, Leo or Dimi would sometimes sleep in the spare bed. Dimi never liked being alone, and though they still had their sides of the house, Dimi spend most of his time in Ryo's side.
The closet was still intact and had some of his old clothes still in it. His window was still boarded up to hold out the sunlight when he slept. The room was one of the master bedrooms and the center floor was clear for whatever purpose Ryo and Dimi had put to it. The rest of the room was random things Ryo had that just sat on the floor. Some of Dimi's old things were also there. Ryo found that Leo had hidden Dimi's bomb kit amongst Ryo's things. He decided it was best to ignore it for now.
Leo was laying on his top bunk, idling away at one of Dimi's military issued pocket watches so Kima wouldn't find out Dimi broke it. Ryo swore Leo could fix anything. It was one of his many talents.
"You don't have to sleep in here. We're both adults." Ryo said lying on his lower bunk.
"I know we're both adults, Little Brother. It'll be like when we were kids. Only you actually have a bed," Leo said quietly. Ryo knew he was just trying to make light of their childhood, but it didn't help much. His childhood wasn't anything he liked looking back on. There were only a few memories worth keeping, and they all included Leo.
"Besides," Leo went on, "I missed having you around."
Ryo didn't comment on it. Being called 'Little Brother' by a twin who was only two minutes older than him was an ongoing joke between him and Leo.
"You still work in the Military too, huh?" Ryo said, trying to stray away from their childhood.
"Yeah...." Leo sighed, throwing Dimi's watch on the floor. "Still the military's reliable Fire User..."
There was a long silence. Ryo wasn't tired, and Leo was restless.
"You can still do everything, right?" Leo asked from the top bunk. Ryo waited a long while, before answering.
"Yeah..."
"Has anyone found out about you?"
"Just you, Dimi and Mel."
Leo paused for a long time. "You talked to Mel since you got here?"
"Yeah..."
"And...?"
"You've met her. She married that prick Janon, had a kid with him, and completely forgot about me," Ryo scoffed.
"She didn't forget about you," Leo insisted. Ryo scoffed again. "She didn't. She told me about what happened. She didn't wanna marry Janon. I know that guy's a dick..."
Ryo thought about it for a moment, "Maybe, but she still had a kid with him. He's the most powerful guy in Hollow now, next to the Council." Ryo heard Leo shift in his bed above him, then saw his head hanging over to look at Ryo.
"You met Kaira?" Ryo didn't say anything. The girl was sweet, but she was Janon's daughter. "What did Mel tell you about her?"
Ryo turned to look at Leo. "Why are you asking so many questions?" Leo lifted his head back to the top bunk. "Is there something I should know?" Leo was silent for a long time.
"She told me, Kima, and Dimi not to tell anyone..."
Ryo got out of bed and looked over the bunk at the back of Leo's head. "Tell me what...?" he asked carefully.
Without looking at him, Leo said, "Kaira's your kid Ryo. She was pregnant when you left...she married Janon to cover it up, the Council would have gotten rid of Kaira if they found out she was your daughter..."
Ryo stared in silence for a few minutes before lying back down on his bed. He tried remembering everything about Kaira the few moments they had known each other. She had brown hair, like his, but it could be believed that she got it from Janon, he had dark brown hair too. Her eyes were blue like Mel's, but shaped more like his. She was his daughter, he realized. Ryo clenched his fists.
Ryo's door was suddenly kicked open and Dimi marched into the room. "How come you guys didn't tell me you were both sleeping in here?!" he said in his whiney voice.
"Never occurred to us," Leo said.
"Ryo's my friend too! Get off my bed!" Dimi said, reaching to pull Leo down. Ryo didn't say anything.
Leo kicked Dimi away. "You can sleep on the floor, I got this spot!" Dimi made a face then started digging around in Ryo's stuff for a pillow and blanket. He looked up, realizing Ryo hadn't said anything since he came in. "Ryo?"
"I'm going back to the palace tomorrow...I'm gonna talk to Janon."
Dimi tilted his head. "Talk as in words, or as in fists."
"Whichever comes first."
"Don't be stupid," Leo said. "He'll have you banished to the Dead Lands for good. Mel still hasn't granted you amnesty."
"I don't care, I'll think of something..."
"You can still stay here with us. Janon and the Council don't know you're here yet." Dimi said quietly.
Ryo thought for a moment. "I'll join the military again. I can still pass as a Fire User."
"No you can't," Leo said. "Not with your record and not without amnesty. The country still remembers you as a traitor."
Dimi jumped up and down on the spot. "You can dye your hair and cut it, and pretend you're a Water User like me! I can say you're cousin...uh....Jorge!"
Ryo couldn't help but smile at Dimi's idiotic plan. "No..." he said softly, rolling over to sleep. "I'll just see Mel again tomorrow about amnesty...you guys can come with me..."
"Not me, I don't work tomorrow...." Leo said lazily.
"Me neither," Dimi said, lying on his stomach.
"Then you can fix the ceiling tomorrow," Leo said, talking into his pillow.

Leaving College (update!)

Well, tonight is my last night in the dorms. Tomorrow I'm getting on a plane and going back home to Alaska. XP

WHICH MEANS NO MORE INTERNET. Unless I can somehow get internet installed at my house. Which I probably won't. XP That also means I won't be on theO everyday anymore, and my updates will be much more rare. I'm sorry!!

But I'll try geting on as often as I could. So if I don't comment or respond to you guys anymore, it's not because I hate you or I left the site, I just wn't be on anymore! T_T