Erewhon Chronicles 2: Kindred

[~darkelfgirl~]

Hmm, I wonder how Kindred got the amulet in the first place...

Interesting update ^^

[USSRGirl]

I think she got the amulet in the very beginning. O.o Interesting twist that the amulet was the one in charge though. And a chilling execution scene if I do say so myself. Roasting people is always so fun. ^___^

One thing - how did Nightingale manage to sneak in with the kids? Wouldn't Kindred have noticed her?

Poor Kappa. o___o;;

[rocklobster]

Who's to say she didn't:evil:? She did, but decided to play it cool and act unaffected.

[USSRGirl]

Oooh I see.

[rocklobster]

Violet and Goldenheart watched as Ki'ry turned into his dragon form. After a few moments of agonizing pain, he was ready.
"I'll never get used to the pain you have to endure to transform." said Goldenheart.
"My father says that sometimes one must suffer in order to bring about a greater good." explained Violet.
"I'll lead the way." Goldenheart said.
"Violet, I was wondering. Why couldn't Green-eyes kill Lokiseth?" asked Ki'ry.
"He did." Violet answered. "But you can only destroy the body. The spirit can't be destroyed."
********
They arrived at the clearing. Nightingale came to meet Goldenheart.
"Goldenheart, you brought dragons?" she asked. "Are you sure they can help?"
"Don't worry, my friend. Ki'ry and Violet are the best help we could have." Goldenheart assured her.
"Then let me tell you what I know. Kindred has several changelings all under her power. And if what I've seen with Lucia is any indication, then we have trouble here. Her powers have been awakened, and they are stronger than they should be." Nightingale informed them.
"So that is his plan." Violet realized. "He's going to siphon off all their powers and use them to strengthen himself so that he can return to the world of the living."
But their presence had not gone unnoticed. One of Kindred's followers saw them. He ran off to tell Kindred.
"Kindred, two fairies and two dragons are in the Veldt. One of the dragons has green skin and the other has purple skin." he said.
"Hmm. So, Green-eyes has heard about us." a voice said in Kindred's mind.
"Do not worry, my follower." said Kindred flatly. "Lucia, come to me."
Lucia nodded. "Yes, Kindred?"
"Deal with the intruders." Kindred commanded.
Lucia nodded and followed the boy who had spotted the intruders.
When she saw them, she announced, "I have been ordered to defeat you." she said.
"Lucia, listen to me." Goldenheart aid. "You don't know what you are doing. Kindred is controlling you."
But Lucia wouldn't listen. Instead she said emotionlessly, "Lokiseth is my master now. I have this power because of him. And I like it."
"No you do not." Nightingale disagreed. "I can see into your heart. You are not an evil person. You are confused."
"No I am not confused, Nightingale." Lucia glared. "I have my orders." She pointed at Violet. Violet was sent spinning. Violet got up and regained herself, then she breathed a ring of fire around Lucia.
Lucia stood there motionless. Then, she crided out, "Nightingale, help me! I don't want to be evil."
"What's going on?" Goldenheart asked Ki'ry.
"It's the fear that brought out Lucia's true nature." Ki'ry said. "That must mean there's still hope."
At that moment, Kindred appeared. But it was Lokiseth that was speaking through her.
"Why Violet, you've grown, I see." Lokiseth's voice said. "Do you still remember our last encounter? How I drained the life-force from your mother, Charcoal?"
Violet backed up at the familiar voice's sound.
"Yes Violet, I have returned." Lokiseth laughed. "And now you shall suffer as your mother did."
"Do you truly think that child can kill me?" Violet scoffed. "Then release Lucia and I shall avenge my mother's death!"
"I know you too well." Kindred shook her head. "You will not hurt these children. You have been taught by Green-eyes, who placed value on innocents. That is your undoing. Observe."
Kindred pointed at Violet and sent a powerful energy blast, knocking her to the ground.
Ki'ry rushed to her side. "Sister!"
"'Sister'?" Am I to understand that Green-eyes managed to sire another offspring?" Lokiseth asked. "Are you as pathetic as Green-eyes?"
"My name is Ki'ry." Ki'ry exclaimed. "And I am not pathetic!" He sent a magical blast of energy at Kindred, knocking her out.
"So how are we to free her?" Ki'ry asked Violet.
"You must enter into her mind." Violet answered. "Then you will be able to help her."

[USSRGirl]

Whoa - so the Green Eyes' family have always been at odds with Lokiseth? I feel sorry for Violet now after reading what happened to her mother. Interesting twist with Lucia's fear releasing her true nature. Kinda reversal of Yoda's proverb.

One typo I caught: "Then, she crided out, "Nightingale, help me! I don't want to be evil." *cried

[rocklobster]

That was the idea. Thanks for catching the typo. So what do you think of Violet's fighting style.

[rocklobster]

Ki'ry had learned from Greeneyes the ancient method of entering a person's mind. He quieted his mind and placed a hand on one of Kindred's temples. Once he entered, he saw Kindred and Lokiseth arguing with each other.
"Why are you making me hurt these creatures?" Kindred asked Lokiseth, I don't even know them."
"Silence!" Lokiseth hissed. "Do you not realize I am the only reason you have this power? If you refuse to obey me, I will take it away from you. Then you will be just as weak as you were before you found me."
"But I don't want this power." Kindred argued. "Not if it means I have to do these awful things. I didn't want to make these children your slaves. I only wanted friends."
"And you have them. Because of me, you are not alone."
"Is that what he has been telling you?" Ki'ry finally spoke.
"You!" Lokiseth turned to face him. "What are you doing here?" he thundered.
"Saving this unfortunate soul from your strings. Kindred, this man has been lying to you. You were born with your powers. You cannot use magic unless you are born of magic."
"Yes, but I have increased her abilities." Lokiseth said.
"All you have done is make her your puppet! Kindred, you have free will. You don't have to listen to him."
"But I actually like this power." Kindred said.
"That's because he makes you think you do!" Ki'ry countered. "even your desires are his. But do you really want that?"
Kindred ran into Ki'ry's arms. Why am I doing this? she thought. I don't even know him. Yet something about Ki'ry realize he was right. She cried becaue she was so afraid. Ki'ry whispered comforting words into her ear, making her deaf to Lokiseth's proddings. She suddenly felt somewhat stronger.
"I have given you some of my strength." Ki'ry said. "Use it to banish him from your mind."
Kinded nodded. "Lokiseth, leave me be!" She sent a magical blast of energy at him.
"You don't have to let him control you anymore if you don't want him to." Ki'ry encouraged. "And I promise you, you will not be alone."
Kindred opened her eyes and slowly got up. She turned to Lucia.
"Are you going to leave me now? After what I've done I wouldn't blame you."
Lucia shook her head. "I'm not sure. Can I think about it?"
Kindred threw her amulet down on the ground and smashed it in anger. Then she ran off to be alone with her tears. She had broken a promise she had made to herself so long ago. She was all alone.
********
The next morning, Kindred took a pole and tied a string to it. Then she walked to the bank of a creek to catch some breakfast. Lucia was there as well.
"Have you decided?" Kindred asked.
"Yes." Lucia said. "I will stay with you. You helped me to see what I really am."
"But I enslaved you."
Lucia put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. Come, I have a surprise for you.
She turned to see all the children she had met. They were now just as free as she was. Nightingale was also with them. "You see? You don't need that amulet to make friends."
"Indeed." said a familiar voice. Everyone turned to see Queen Titania.
"Your Highness!" Nightingale exclaimed and curtsied.
Titania turned to Lucia.
"Your visit to our kingdom has given me some food for thought. We fairies have ignored the changelings for far too long. You don't deserve to be swept under a rug. So, I have decided from now on, all changelings will be welcome in Faerie. Provided they adopt the form of a fairy."
"You mean it?" asked Lucia.
"Yes. I never lie." answered the Fairy Queen.
"Excuse me, but there is something I have to do." She left them and went to the place where she smashed the amulet. When she arrived, she screamed.
Everyone heard the scream and came running.
"What is it, child?" Titania asked.
"The amulet's fragments are gone!" Kindred exclaimed.
A voice laughed evilly. "That's right you fools!" It was Lokiseth. "Did you really think it was that easy to get rid of me? All you did was free me of my prison. You have lost! And I shall return!"
And with that, he left.
Lucia placed a comforting hand in Kindred's "And next time, we'll face him. Together."

[USSRGirl]

Wow. Intense ending! The mental battle with Kindred, Ki'ry, and Lokiseth was really well done. I like how you packed some symbolism and philosophy in there. The conclusion to Kindred's story was really heartwarming.

One typo I found :
"Yet something about Ki'ry [made her] realize he was right."

[rocklobster]

Rats. I thought I had typed that.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Wait, if the girl killed the deer with a poison arrow, wouldn't she be poisoned herself in eating the deer?

[rocklobster]

The poison doesn't work on humans.