Shadowed Footprints

 

Tears Of Salt

 

Phew, the story is progressing. Time to enlighten you in this next chapter ‘Tears of Salt’. Sorry it be shorter than the others. I promise to lengthen it next time! ^_^ I didn’t finish proofreading this so excuse any completely idiotic mistakes near the end. Anyway………The curtains are drawn and the story continues………

 

*   *   *

 

Miyu held her hands to her face, terrified as the end came near. Satsu realised in that split second that Miyu could not defend herself but could not pull out of the swing. Miyu looked up, tears brimming.

 

“Satsu,” she said mournfully. Would she die by her friend’s hand? Within her, a force answered.

 

“Mi-” Satsu paused in midair, arms flopping either side of her body. She was frozen. Miyu timidly looked up to see the thief paused over her. The sword dropped from Satsu’s fingers and clattered to the dust. Miyu gently touched Satsu’s frozen face and then shook her head.

 

“Let her down,” she whispered. Satsu’s body slowly dropped to the ground. “Satsu,” Miyu knelt beside her. She felt hands on her shoulders. “Larva? I don’t understand.”

 

“You are a god,” Larva replied. “I remember reading a fable that mentioned gods cannot be struck down by mortal blades if it is against their wish. If the god is strong enough they will instinctively place a shield around them. They can also control a human’s movements. By controlling Satsu’s body you have saved your life.”

 

“Will she wake?” Miyu asked, touching Satsu’s forehead.

 

“Eventually,” Larva replied. “Here, let her rest.”

 

Miyu nodded and hurriedly stood up and fetched a blanket. She wrapped it over Satsu’s now gently breathing body and let her rest. Larva placed his arms round her crouched form and she lent back in his embrace and giggled softly. Reaching up she took Larva’s mask away from his face and peered up at his expressing, the firelight casting shadows across his face.

 

“Larva,” she whispered. “Are you going to help me? I mean……… always help me?”

 

Larva did not look down but squeezed her hand reassuringly. “It seems so,” he murmured in reply. Miyu lay back and pondered. What was this feeling of complete safety? The firm hold of his arms and his hands holding hers gently yet in a grip that would never let go. She felt a trust in him that Satsu would never have, and yet……… there was more. She lapsed into her own quiet thoughts, hugging Larva’s macabre mask to her breast. (Whaaat? Would you rather I said she hugged it to her ‘chest’? Sorry to spoil the mood. I’ll be quiet.)

 

*   *   *

 

Under the blankets Satsu stirred and opened her eyes. She remembered hurtling towards Miyu, expecting her to retaliate, but had felt horror when she realised Miyu couldn’t defend herself. She had tried to pull out of the dive but it was too late……… and there was something driving her to plunge her blade into Miyu’s heart. Horror had been overcome by a want to destroy the one she had promised Mother she would protect. As her vision cleared she saw Miyu wrapped in Larva’s arms come into view. So that was the feeling……… jealousy? Satsu sighed softly and closed her eyes. Why did no one love her?

 

*   *   *

 

The morning was damp and they set off at first light. Satsu went ahead as usual, elbowing Larva deliberately as she ran past and leapt into the trees. It hadn’t hurt but Larva still scowled after her. Miyu laughed softly and danced ahead. Larva had noticed that Miyu had become less weak ever since her discovery of her flame. It was as though a stronger Miyu had awoken as soon she had found she was a god. For a start, it seemed gravity bothered her less and less. It was strange just thinking about it, but Larva noticed that ever so often as she ran her feet would leave the ground for just a second and then she would land again on her toes before he had time to acknowledge it. He did not feel concern for these little changes but as they arrived at the town of Genawa he began to worry.

 

*   *   *

 

Genawa was a much larger settlement than Daie by far. For starters, the buildings were much like those of Miyu’s home, towering brick houses all joined together, bordering the narrow streets. Long lines of laundry had been strung from many windows and curses of women could be heard as individual pieces of clothing slipped from their pegs and fell to the street. Miyu strode confidently along the cobbles, followed behind by Larva and with Satsu streaking ahead, pausing occasionally to cut someone’s purse and catch the small gold coins.

 

“Miyu,” Larva caught up with her and she slowed her pace to walk with him. “Where do you wish to go?”

 

“Hmm,” Miyu paused to contemplate. “I wish to eat somewhere first, and then I will go to the docks. Alone, Larva. You must not follow me.” She walked on ahead. Larva stared after her. What was she planning? He continued to follow her but then something occurred to him. How did Miyu know Genawa had docks? He looked ahead and jumped in surprise as Satsu stood before him.

 

“What do you want?” he snapped looking down at her.

 

“Don’t be so impudent to me, hostage,” she scowled back. Larva stayed silent. He could see her long sword strapped to her back and didn’t want to know what other horrors she kept under that long coat of hers. She moved closer and lowered her voice. “It’s Miyu. It’s not right……… I mean, she’s not right. She doesn’t act like this normally, and she’s been sort of distant, and disregarding.”

 

“Of gravity,” Larva murmured.

 

“What?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

“Anyway, I want you to talk to her.”

 

“WHAT?” Larva shouted but then promptly hushed his voice. “Why don’t you talk to her? You’re meant to be protecting her.”

 

Satsu looked at him as though it was costing her every strand of her mental ability not to decapitate him. She finally replied in a clenched voice, “Because she listens to you. She………” Satsu trailed off then whirled round sulkily and spotted Miyu waiting for them. “Oh, work it out for yourself,” she snapped over her shoulder and stalked off.

 

Larva watched her with a protesting look and then followed at a slow pace. Why was talking to Satsu always so unpredictable? As looked ahead he saw Miyu had chosen a quiet Inn for them to dine in and possibly get rooms.

 

*   *   *

 

The Namida Inn was unlike the Moonwhistle Inn in many ways. For a start, it could have passed as a casual restaurant, for it lacked the drunk lackeys and smoke that hung in the air carrying suspicious scents that wafted from the open kitchen door. The Namida Inn Had a clean polished floor of mahogany with table and chairs set out round the perimeter of the room with whitewashed walls bearing many pictures of the ocean and sailing vessels. The bar at the far end was crafted from a dark wood with a fancy green painted top and behind rows of glass shelves held aloft an array of different coloured bottles and gold taps holding a variety of beers. A few men sat in the Inn; the majority huddled round a game of poker. But this game, unlike the Moonwhistle’s infamous poker, was hushed. All the players played in a secretive fashion, no shouting or boasting or throwing of chairs at all. Satsu felt most uncomfortable and the tense atmosphere even intimidated Miyu.

 

So they chose a table out of the way at the back of the room where no one could listen in on their conversations.

 

“I’ll get the drinks,” Satsu offered rising from her chair quickly. “Miyu, you’ll want a fruit juice, right? I suppose the hostage wants a beer.”

 

Miyu nodded and Satsu hurried off, but not before throwing a meaningful glance at Larva. He knew her disappearance was to give him and Miyu the chance to talk. He turned to the fire goddess who was tracing a circle with her finger on the shiny tabletop absentmindedly.

 

“Miyu?” She looked up, distracted.

 

“Yes?”

 

“How are you feeling?” he hazarded. “Right now?”

 

“Well,” she instantly looked down at the table. “Why do you ask?”

 

“No reason,” he also glanced down at the tabletop. There was a long pause. “No, Miyu,” Larva grabbed her hand. “What I mean is………” He waited for the words to come. They never came. “Look after yourself.” He hastily dropped her hand and looked away. He could still see her, however, scrutinising him from the corner of his eye.

 

Satsu returned with a glass of apple juice for Miyu, a cheap beer in a cracked mug for Larva and a small glass of a clear liquid for herself. She glanced around quizzically. Larva shook his head in defeat. She then rolled her eyes and fixed her attention on her drink. Larva was guessing that it was a strong alcoholic drink judging by the portion it had been served in. Satsu noticed his interested gaze.

 

“You never had sake?” she sneered. “Some say this is a man’s drink. I say,” she lifted the drink to her lips and downed the liquid in one. Larva watched her eyes flicker and focus again. “Ha!”

 

Miyu was shaking her head and smiling. Larva shrugged and turned back to his beverage. The beer was drinkable but by no means matched the quality of Maria’s home-brewed stuff. Suddenly Miyu rose. Larva got up as well but she shook her head.

 

“I need to go the docks.”

 

“That’s nice,” Satsu groaned getting up as well. “So we’ll go with you.”

 

“No,” she emphasised the next words to Larva in particular. “Alone.”

 

“Miyu,” Satsu protested but the fire goddess had already stalked out of the Inn’s door. “I don’t like it,” Satsu muttered as she left. Larva was still staring after her. “Hostage!” Satsu slammed her fist on the table causing him to look round. “I’ve been thinking. This inn is called Namida……… that means tears. I asked the barman why the choice of name, and he said that the sea Genawa overlooks is said to have a god living within it’s depths. They say that the god once loved a woman but they could not show they’re true feelings because gods are not permitted to love mortals. The woman would cry every night into the sea. Then one day there was a violent storm and the woman went to the seas edge to cry when a large wave swept her off the shore and into the ocean. She was never seen again and many say she was dead, but most like to believe that the sea god swept her into the ocean so they could live together under the waves where the laws were not valid. The townspeople liked the story so much they named the Inn after it. But I was thinking, maybe Miyu can feel the presence of a god and has gone to see him. Maybe it is the same god as the one in the story. Hostage! Are you listening?”

 

Larva had been listening, but a thought had surfaced. It was strictly prohibited that mortal and god could not fall in love. But why? He felt a heavy pain in his chest and wanted to hold Miyu close. His chair scraped across the polished floor as he got to his feet.

 

“I’m going after her,” he said reaching for his scythe he had leant in the corner.

 

“Miyu, forbade you to follow her, hostage,” Satsu snapped.

 

Larva paused by the door. “It is not her choice to whether she is protected or not. I have a duty to for fill.” And he left, dark cloak streaming out behind him.

 

“Well that’s great,” Satsu grumbled, taking a dagger from her jacket and twirling it round her fingers in a bad mood. “He’s off saving Miyu and lucky old Satsu gets to pay the bill.”

 

*   *   *

 

Miyu walked out of the main high street thronged with people and made her way towards the docks. The crowds did not bother her, for it seemed people would just glide out of her way. She tried to keep her senses focussed but they continued to wander back to the bar……… to Larva. She stopped and clutched at her head. This would not do. She knew deep down what the consequences would be if she opened her heart to someone, but she was part mortal. She strode on through the crowds until the buildings abruptly stopped and a plain of water stretched out before her. Miyu gasped in delight and took in the scenery. In the palace she had heard of the ocean and seen embroideries and paintings, but the real thing was so much more beautiful. She could make out the outlines of boats skimming the waters whilst white seagulls soared overhead. For a moment she was lost in the scenery but then gathered her thoughts and tried to detect where the call was coming from. Walking down the cost she scanned the rocks and paused once she was quite far away from the people at a large rock jutting out into the ocean. Waves continually crashed against it’s front, spraying up fans of water.

 

“It was here,” Miyu murmured, stepping carefully out onto the rock. “I wonder, did she die? Or did he really take her beneath the waves?”

 

She took another step forwards and looked down into the icy depths. Fear surfaced for a moment, but she squashed it down inside her and told herself that her brother would never harm her, unlike Lethes. Gulping back terror she spread her arms and called to the waters.

 

“Quenta! I have come to speak with you!”

 

The sea swelled in reply.

 

*   *   *

 

Larva elbowed his way through the mass of people, his scythe strapped to his back. He could small salt and knew he had reached the docks. As the ocean stretched out before him he scanned the shore for Miyu. At first he could not see her but then his eyes spied a figure in a white kimono perched on the edge of a rock jutting out to sea. She was calling something to the wind and the sea below churned.

 

“Miyu!” Larva shouted, now racing towards her. She could not hear him.

 

She spread her arms wide and called one last time. There was a second of pure silence and then a roar as gigantic wall of water soared into the air against the rock and fell. As it trickled back into the ocean, Miyu was no longer standing on the rock.

 

“Miyu!” Larva cried again and without a moment hesitation dived into the water after her.

 

*   *   *

 

Miyu had screamed in terror at first as the wave had engulfed her like a blue dragon but now she felt calm as she spiralled through the waters, not worrying about breathing and not feeling the icy string against her skin. She was in a world of greens and blues with shafts of sunlight shimmering through the waters. She spiralled onwards, not even trying to swim but being carried by an invisible current. Just when she was really beginning to feel at peace she felt herself slowing until she was poised in the ocean, waiting.

 

A silver streak suddenly slashed through the water in front of her and then two fingers pulled the silver mark apart and as though stepping out of a split in time, Quenta, Lord of the Waters emerged, holding a thin sword. His face was lineless and pale green hair floated round his face whilst dark blue eyes flashed in every direction. He wore light blue tunic and navy breeches as well as a long green coat that flowed out behind him. As he saw her he smiled.

 

“So,” his voice was soft yet deep. “You heard me.” He studied her face curiously. “You are very pretty. I can see why Lethes is jealous. Let us be frank, that is why you have come?”

 

“Yes,” Miyu nodded. “I cannot understand why I must stop our brother, and yet Saiyuna……… mother commands me to.”

 

“I do not see the logic in our brother’s moves and yet I feel that you are not his only target.” Quenta reclined in the waters and thought to himself.

 

“But why?” Miyu floated a little closer. “Why does he target me? I have only just discovered my element and compared to you and Reiha, I am a weakling.”

 

“Then maybe that is why he has chosen you, because you are more vulnerable.” He floated upright again.

 

“Do you believe that Lethes is trying to seize all the elements for himself?” she asked.

 

“It could be possible. It’s just I don’t see the point. All this plotting and scheming just for a few new spells? It doesn’t seem logical, and Lethes isn’t an idiot.” Quenta’s eyes suddenly darted up. “What?”

 

Miyu turned and nearly cried out as she spotted a black shape floating downwards through the ocean.

 

*   *   *

 

Larva kicked harder as he tried to gain depth, but he was not an expert swimmer and the pressure was already hammering on his head. He could feel his lungs emptying of his last breaths of air. His vision was going blurry but he determinedly swam on, trying to find Miyu.

 

Miyu meant the world to him……… He couldn’t let her drown………

 

His head was pounding, his arms and legs tired, the last of the air disappeared out his mouth in a bubble. He felt himself sinking into darkness………

 

*   *   *

 

“Larva!” Miyu sped through the water towards his limp form. She caught his body and pressed an ear to his chest. His heart was still beating. She turned to see Quenta hovering behind her, sword drawn. “Quenta, Larva is no foe.” She could feel a burning in her eyes but knew she couldn’t cry underwater. “Quenta, please help him.”

 

“Why?” Quenta asked, more curiously than stubbornly.

 

“His is my guardian, my protector.” She traced a finger over his cold lips. “My friend.”

 

Quenta sighed stepped up towards Larva. He raised his eyebrows as he noticed the guard’s handsome still face and glanced at Miyu. “You go for the pretty ones then?” She bristled but did not reply. Quenta turned back to Larva and pressed a hand to Larva’s forehead. He murmured under his breath and then beckoned to Miyu. “Blow into my hand,” he commanded her. She did not question this absurd request and blew a small bubble through the water. Quenta caught it carefully in a cupped hand and brought it to Larva’s mouth.

 

“Aspiro,” he murmured and pressed the air bubble between Larva’s lips. Larva stirred slightly but did not open his eyes. “He will awake as soon as he reaches the surface,” Quenta informed Miyu. “Go quickly. My advice to you, Miyu is to train and become strong for the time when you will need the strength of a true god. I will make my way across the country to where Lethes was seen last. Luck, Miyu. Adieu.”

 

“Adieu, brother. But I have one departing question. Did you take that woman down to where you could love her forever? Or did she die?”

 

Quenta smiled mysteriously and waved his hand in a complicated gesture. Miyu felt herself starting to float upwards.

 

“I took her to where she wanted to be,” he said as she floated higher. Miyu rolled her eyes. Typical god-like answer.

 

Miyu grasped Larva’s shoulders and both hurtled back to the surface. As soon as Miyu’s head broke the waves she paddled about and eventually dragged Larva ashore with strength she didn’t know she possessed. She lay he head on her lap and began to wring the water out of his aqua hair.

 

“Oh, Larva,” she whispered, stroking away a water droplet on his cheek. “I told you not to follow me.”

 

“I promised I would protect you.” Larva’s voice made Miyu jump. His crimson eyes flickered open and a hand reached up to Miyu’s. Miyu smiled and stroked his damp hair out of his face.

 

“You will now promise me,” she whispered stroking a cheek lovingly, “that you will never endanger your life for me again.”

 

“That is a promise I cannot make nor will ever keep,” he replied trying to sit up, but Miyu pushed him down.

 

“You are at my mercy,” she grinned leaning over him. She paused, so tempted to touch his lips but withdrew herself gracefully. Larva’s face was suddenly serious.

 

“Miyu, is it true that a God cannot love a mortal?” Miyu looked sadly into his eyes and turned away.

 

“Yes,” she whispered. “There is a way round it, but I do not wish to have to revert to it, unless you………”

 

“Tell me,” Larva said slowly. He pressed her hand to encourage her.

 

“I can offer you a few of my powers so you will become a type of sub-god. Generally gods pass on their powers to their followers, so they can learn the arts of elements, but it is often not wise. Some men end up forgetting their human side, and become dangerous. Not only is it harmful to the people around the human, but also it is torture for his inner mind. He is trapped; he has forgotten happiness, hope, love……… His mind is his own prison.”

 

“Miyu,” Miyu turned back to Larva who looked at her softly, his face still damp from the sea. “I would never forget my human side, because I take these powers because of………” He paused, unsure how to say it.

 

“Because of?” Miyu leant closer.

 

“Love,” Larva finished. “Miyu,” he placed a hand to her face. “I will always follow you. I am your follower.”

 

Miyu stared up at him and no longer felt the chill of the sea winds or heard the hiss of the waves. She could only feel warmth and joy and she placed both hands on his shoulders and drew him nearer.

 

“Larva,” she whispered, her face close to his. “You are much, much more than my follower.” She moved forwards, their lips brushed. Larva wrapped his arms round her, comforting her as she kissed his lips so gently, as though afraid. Her hand moved upwards and stroked the back of his head, her fingers intertwining his hair and suddenly her kiss felt like so much more. An energy flowed between them, an unbreakable bond between god and mortal. Her powers, her thoughts passed through mind and body. Larva lay down ad she curled up to his chest, her face against his, eyelashes brushing his cheeks. Larva laid an arm across her body so his cloak acted like a blanket against the wind.

 

“I do not follow you because it is my duty,” he whispered as she drifted to sleep. He could feel her presence running through her veins. “It is because I choose to. I love you.”

 

*   *   *

 

To Be Continued………

 

Sorry again that this be short. I be trying to write faster but the damn schoolwork keeps catching up with me. I JUST WANNA WRITE! >O< Well, the next chapter will up soon. Please review. I feel so loved, not like that………