Lore: It Lies Within

[Emora Deen]

Mia could feel the cold wind. It was the edge of fall, and the beginning of winter, and everything seemed to be more silent than in summer. The animals were more quiet, and the water itself seemed to move in a hushed manner as it trickled by steadily. She watched it from her perch on a rock at the edge of the forest surrounding the J’ra village. Children played in the meadow before her, and she watched them, amused by their games. It was peaceful to be here, even though her home was a wreck.

She’d rather be skewered over an open fire than have her mother plan her wedding, but there was nothing she could really do to say otherwise at the moment. She had run away temporarily from the house, mostly from her mother. She suspected that her father had Bejei off somewhere, walking him through the rituals of a J’ra marriage.

Marriage...

She could laugh at the thought. Never in her wildest dreams did she suspect she’d be back here getting married, and to someone other than the betrothed man she had been bound to so long ago. No, now it was someone she cared very deeply for. Someone she worried for.

A cold gust caught her white hair and tossed it around her golden face. Her miss-matched eyes gazed out away from the children and the ever-darkening forest. Another day had came and gone. Her eyes closed at the feel of the cold wind brushing over her skin. Chill bumps raised on the back of her neck.

She had a strange feeling, like something wasn’t right. Mia couldn’t quite put her finger on it, and she supposed to could be nothing... But, something seemed out of place. She wracked her brain for what it could be. Bolrock had been quiet lately, so she didn’t think it had anything to do with him. Their enemies were destroyed.

No, there was nothing it could be.

She settled with the fact it was all in her head. Cold feet. Fear of what her mother was going to do to her wedding? Mia could careless if it was perfect and amazing. As long as she could be one with Bejei... she could take anything the woman dished at her.

[Bejei]

Bejei was off somewhere, sitting underneath the tree. He contemplated the situation he had put himself or Mia in. He had made a deal with Mia's mother to treat his new wife like dirt after they marry. That was something he couldn't bring himself to do. However, if Mia's mother found out that he betrayed her then she would make Mia's life a living hell. He had some tough decisions to make, but he didn't know what to do.

He stared into the open and frowned since he was not the same person he used to be after meeting Mia. What changed him? Was it her love and care? He was so confused at the moment, but there was one thing he knew, and that thing was to not cause any harm to Mia no matter what her mother wanted. How could he marry Mia and please her mother at the same time.

Without warning, Bejei felt the evil within growing once more. He fought the urge, but Bolrock's spirit was too powerful to overcome so easily. His eyes began to alter from hazel to crimson and in vice versa. The cringe and grimace, but soon everything stood quiet except for the cool breeze and scurrying of animals. The sell sword came to his feet, and a sadistic smile formed on his face as he glanced around.

"It feels so much better to be out again. It's time for you to take a nap Bejei, and pretty soon you will be asleep for eternity." Bolrock uttered to himself.

He sensed Mia's spirit and made his way in her direction with one thought in mind. Killing her or rather forcing her to be his slave.

[Emora Deen]

Mia brushed her hands through her long white hair as she watched the children go about playing. The boys seemed to be practicing hand-to-hand combat in a slightly frighteningly playful way. She sighed, knowing her mother would probably want her back at the house. Sadly, she didn't want to go. She wanted to find Begei and ellope. Something of that nature seemed far more intruiging than letting her mother plan the wedding.

She crossed the open meadow, staying close to the forest's edge. She heard the quick scamper of small animals as the hurriedly escaped to what they felt would be a safe distance. Her mind in the clouds, she wasn't paying any attention to where she was going. Her eyes were to the roots and grass that covered the ground, and her mind to the not so distant future.

It completely surprised her when her body came in contact with a rock solid form. In a flurry of movement she stumbled back to catch her balance, idly reaching out for whatever she had bumped into for support. It only took a second to realize who the man was, and she smiled lovingly. "Bejei. Sorry, I wasn't paying any attention to where I was going."

[Bejei]

Bolrock found his way through the forest as he sensed someone come in his direction. He immediately noticed the spirit pattern belonging to Mia. She was Bejei's beloved finance, but she was nothing more than another victim. He would prolong her death a little longer as he played along.

The sell sword purposely bumped into Mia, knowing that she was not watching where she was going. His crimson eyes altered to hazel in order to not draw attention to himself. He would pretend to be Bejei until the right moment arise then he would have the pleasure to kill her.

He smiled at her while taking hold of her hand and lacing them with his own. "It's ok Mia. So how are things with your mother? I hope things are going well. I can't wait for us to get marry and leave this place."

Bolrock was utterly disgusted by what he was saying. Every loving and caring words coming out of his mouth made his head ache. He knew he would not have to take it much longer since Mia would be killed, and Bejei would stay locked up forever inside. All his dreams were going to come true.

"Lets head back to your house so your parents won't worry about you." Bolrock tried to smiled heartedly.

[Emora Deen]

Mia tilted her beautiful face up to him, her miss-matched eyes looking his feature over. "You've met my parents right? I doubt seriously that they would be worried about me." She snaked her hands up his chest, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "No, lets stay away for a little while longer. She's been hovering over my shoulder something fierce. I feel like we have been this alone in ages."

Mia smiled warmly. "Speaking of my mother, she seems to be growing strangely fond of you," she added, arching an eyebrow at him. "I'd be fearful if I were you."

[Bejei]

Bolrock embraced Mia so tenderly like Bejei would have. He smiled at her before kissing her forehead gently. He listened to her intently, and he knew what she was talking about since he could tell her mother was not a good person. He admired her mother though since he welcome people who enjoyed causing suffering to others.

"I know how your mother is. You should know I fear nothing." He replied while pulling her close to his chest.

He took a glance in the direction where the house was located. He would play things out for a while before killing them. He smiled as he thought about ways of torturing and mutilating his preys.

"What do you want to do Mia? Do you have anything in mind?"

[Emora Deen]

Mia thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I haven't had anything in particular in mind." She grabbed his hand and began to walk with him aimlessly into the shelter of the forest.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" she asked him, wrapping and arm around his and hugging it to her as they walked.

[Bejei]

Bolrock received Mia's hand and held them firmly, tighter than usual. Even though, Mia didn't have anything in mind, he had a lot of things brewing in his mind that he would love to do. For example, he would love to rape her then kill her. Oh the joy of killing was such a great sensation, and it was quite exhilarating while he did it.

"Don't worry Mia, I'm sure we can find something to do. As for tomorrow, I'm not nervous at all. I'm actually excited and looking forward to tomorrow." He replied while he held her hand tighter.

Bolrock leaned over and aggressively kissed Mia on the lips while he pulled her close to his body. He would like to have his way with her. After taking care of her, he would take care of her parents, and then locked Bejei away forever.

[Emora Deen]

Mia excepted his kiss, letting herself relax in his arms. His kiss was agressive, but she didn't mind that so much. She pulled back a bit to look into his eyes. The kiss brought back memories of things that bothered her, and she was suddenly reminded of why she was so worried earlier.

"Bolrock hasn't been bothering you lately... has he?" she asked him softly, reaching up to brush her fingertips softly across his face. "He's been too quiet, and it worries me. A month ago he couldn't stop popping in and out proclaiming your death and the fact I was his queen. Now, he's silent. Like he doesn't even exist anymore." She pressed in closer to him, feeling a chill run down her spine just mentioning the evil that was Bolrock. "I rather like it this way. I frightens me."

She knew that most people would consider her a bit nuts. She was so close to a man that any moment could become a raging killer. She loved and cared for a man who could harm her in the worst ways possible. Still, she didn't care. Whether she be right in her mind, or insane, she knew that the only reason she could stay with him was that she loved and cared for him more than anything on this earth. She needed him, as strange as that was.

[Bejei]

Bolrock arched an eyebrow at Mia's words. Indeed, he intended Mia to be his queen, but he had another way of making her his queen. First, he had to kill her then bring her back to life in order to cleanse her of the good nature and only keep the negative energy. He would make her just like him.

"You don't have to worry about Bolrock. He has not been bothering me. I have him put away for a while."

He pulled Mia close to his chest and held her tightly. He was not gonna let anyone else hurt her at the moment since she was going to be his queen, and she had a job to do. She was to bring forth his dark army into the world.

"I love you Mia. I can't wait until we get marry. I have plans after the wedding that I know you can't wait for." He smiled at her.

[Emora Deen]

"Oh?" Mia asked, smiling at him as she rose to her tip tose to be high enough to place a gentle kiss on his lips. "Can you give me a hint to what you have planned?" She twined her arms around his neck, hugging him there in the shadows of the forest. The cool wind blew softly through the trees, and she could idly hear the sound of faded laughter in the distance.

She kissed him again, hugging herself tighter to him. She thought she heard someone in the distance, further in the woods, but she ignored it. It couldn't be anything other than an animal, right?

[Bejei]

Bolrock received Mia's kiss, but her question caught him off guard. Plan? He thought about what she asked him, and he didn't immediately reply since he wanted her to think hard about what it is.

"That would ruin the surprise I have for you Mia. I know you'll like what I've cooked up for you. Now, don't try to persuade me to tell you since you know I won't do it." He replied with a sly smile.

He took a hold of her hand and guided her deeper into the forest. He would lead her far away from her parents house then he could get things in motion. He only hoped she was not aware of anything.

[Emora Deen]

Mia followed him, letting him lead her further away. She didn't mind going further away from her home, she knew they'd eventually turn around and head back. After all they had a wedding to undergo tomorrow. She didn't mind being alone with him either. She wanted to be alone with him. It was very hard to do all the things she wanted to do with him when her mother was hovering over her shoulder and trying to insure no improper actions were happening in her house until after the marriage.

She glided her other hand up his arm, resting her head gently close to his shoulder as they walked. After a while she no longer heard the soft idle laughter, but the rustle of leaves and the sound of the wind blowing through the forest gently.

"We shouldn't wonder too far off," she advised, knowing it would be getting dark soon. It was already considerably darker under the canopy. "We could stop here, if you want." It was a nice open spot. The ground was a little bumpy with roots in paches, but there were several clear moother surfaces. The trees had grown in a circle around this clearing, and she supposed that at one time a large tree had been here and had fallen and rotten away long ago. In the distance an owl hooted, signaling dusk was coming.

[Bejei]

Bolrock decided to stop as Mia suggested. He figured it was far enough since no one else was in the area, and it was getting dark pretty soon. He had everything planned, and if everything went smoothly then he would get what he wanted.

"This is ok Mia."

He pulled Mia close and wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. He held her aggressively, and did not say a word for a few moments before he took a breath of sigh. There was something on his mind, but he wouldn't let her know that. What should he do about tomorrow?

[Emora Deen]

Mia leaned forward, resting her head against his chest, just under his chin. She listened to the sounds around them, and the silence. She could feel his pulse just beneath the skin. Nothing in the world could hurt her at that moment. She felt completely and utterly safe.

"Is there something you want to talk about?" she asked, he seemed a little bothered. Her hand brushed his neck as she leaned back and kissed him sweetly. He might have held her aggressively, but it didn't bother her or give her any clues to him being someone else. She reasoned that he had missed her.