One Deadly Rule

Who would've thought, I was this close to being alone again.

That couldn't have been father, could it? No! Impossible, I saw him and the entire village perish, before my very eyes. Still, I can't shake this familiar feeling.

"Hey, You alright?"

"Oh uh yeah.."

My instincts, that I've relied on solely up to this point have finally let me down.

"Come, the sun hasn't come up yet"

"Right.."

"Hey, Khatar seriously! Are you ok?"

"I've relied too heavily on my instincts"

*Sigh*

"Damn right you did, but don't be too hard on yourself. Hell, I would've done the same in your shoes. Just try to remember you can rely on me too now okay?"

Heh, she's right, isn't she. Perhaps It would be wise to remember I am no longer alone. Besides, that doesn't change the fact that we are now hunted by people we know nothing about or at the very least I know nothing about. Is she hiding something from me?

"Hey, did you know those guys?

"I know...knew of one, he goes by bounty hunter Gill. He doesn't trouble you unless you've got a plentiful bounty on your head"

"That means.."

"Bingo! Were wanted, and if Gill is hunting us, he is close behind"

"Wanted? By who?"

"Uh about that"

"Huh?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Well, yeah I trust you"

"Then trust me okay? It's a bit difficult to say, also I'd prefer not to talk about it. Grant me that yeah?"

"Yeah, sure"

As much as I'd like to pry and find out more this time was different. She was actually, kind of nice about it. Let me change the subject.

"Well in any case, Southport is a half-day journey west of us."

"Hm?"

"I have gained a slight hold of the surroundings almost entirely from taking in the sights. The dirt paths are often narrow and tend to be on the left of any given forest or lake."

"Why am I not surprised." She gave me a polite shrug

"We were going to Northport"

"Isn't that?"

"It is, I never wanted to see that place again. But, it can't be helped, our guy is there"

"Not only am I causing pain for myself but for you as well, I'm sorry Aldis"

"Geez don't get all sappy on me. I chose to do this, besides, I know why I'm free"

She extended her hands towards me

"Aldis...Thank you"

"Hey now, I said you could rely on me right! I do have a favor to ask of you however"

"What is it?"

"Teach me that thing you do, the impact training thing."

The second she spoke, my ears began ringing with fiery intensity. Fuzziness begins to creep from my fingertips.

"Sorry, what did you say?

"You called it impact training right? Teach it to me"

The ringing grew louder. I see her look of concern As I collapsed to the ground.

"Hey! Khatar! Are you okay?"

I can hear her so I'm conscious but why can't I move?

Kill.

Excuse me?

"Hey! Are you alive or what?"

What was that? Was that her?

Kill All Who Oppose.

There it is again!? Calm down. Stay calm.

"If this is some kind of joke I swear..."

I must be losing my hearing, as she was much quieter this time. It can't be her, can it? No! I trust her. Even though you've known her for so little? I can't think like that. She only wants your power! Power? What power? Why am thinking like this? What is going on?

By now the fuzziness has taken over my entire body, I now can't feel anything. The only things in control are my sight and thoughts.

Kill Her!

Kill Her? Who do you speak of?

The Girl! She only wants your power.

Oh Aldis,

You remember her name?

I almost forgot, what does she want?

The power of a kaya!

A kaya? You mean our senses?

Yes.

Who are you?

Such a silly question, for I am you.

Your me?

I am you who protects you.

At this point I don't feel anything, absolutely nothing, nothing at all. I'm not even sure if my breathing has sped up or if I'm nervous. Am I anxious? Am I scared? Mad? Sad? I don't know. I almost feel tranquil, neutral to the whole situation.

A long drawn-out paused captured the air.

Do you remember the rule?

Yes, I remember

Recite It!

We kaya survive through our impact. Whenever asked to teach this technique, the moment you are able, kill them.

I said that so calmly, Can I kill Aldis?

Yes

Should I?

To protect the integrity of the ancestors

To.. protect.. the.. integrity..I should

Don't you dare turn your back on our culture and customs, don't you dare bring shame to the ancestors

She is my companion, my....friend.

You hesitate? Just breathe, and let me take over

Let you take over?

Just breathe

Your right just....breathe

*breath*

"Ancestors forgive me once more."

"Khatar! Are you going to answer me?"

*breath*

I drew a long unsuspecting breath, as I pulled myself up from the floor. She stepped back quickly, my sudden movement must've startled her.

Are you ready?

No.

She shifted ever so slightly. Is she afraid of me? I wonder what she sees.

I saw myself take two calm steps before sprinting towards her at full speed. Noticing my fist clenched she attempted to jump to the side but it was too late, I have already closed the distance. Delivering a blow to her stomach. She dropped instantly.

I hit her?

You have to.

"Argh! You prick aahhh what the hell?"

Did I see her mouth something, I wonder what she said?

She is impressive, any other individual would have caved in after that.

That's my Aldis.