#kingkillermcd

“Roommates?”

After Aphmau finished tying my hair in a low riding pony tail I looked in the mirror smiling.

I haven't felt this good for a long, long time. It was nice.

My new shoes felt comfy too.

"So what was your name?" The guard, Laurence, asked, crossing his arms.

"Oh. It's um..it's Artemis." I wasn't sure if telling these people my name was a good idea, but they were really far out in the frontier. 

Perhaps...they didn't know what I did?

"Artemis? Such a pretty name!" Cadenza smiled.

"Laurence?" Aphmau spoke up.

"Yes, my lady?" Laurence turned to Aphmau.

"Could Artemis stay at your house until we can find her a more permanent place?" Aphmau asked politely.

"What?!" Laurence and I said in unison. 

"If you don't mind, Lady Aphmau, I'm fine with pitching a tent somewhere-"

"Her staying at my house?! With Lumi there?! Did you not hear that she tried to drown Lumi?!" Laurence shouted, raising his arms.

"It was a misunderstanding!" I snapped at him.

"Enough!" Aphmau silenced us, "You two have to work this out! There's no room anywhere else and I doubt Logan will let her stay at the Inn for free!"

I bit my tongue, nodding. I knew how to keep in my place. Laurence however did not.

"But she's an outsider!" Laurence shouted.

"Says the man who was once a Shadow Knight!" Cadenza shouted at Laurence. "You don't have the best history either, Laurence! For Pete's sake you used to be a womanizer, brother!"

That shut Laurence up.

I sighed, breaking the silence. I wasn't sure what a Shadow Knight was but it didn't give me warm and fuzzies knowing my new roommate used to be one. I could care less about the womanizing part.

"C'mon." Laurence sounded defeated as he started walking towards the door. It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. I followed him promptly.

He was silent as we walked through the busy streets. I suppose I really messed up. I knew for sure that this wasn't as bad as prison, so I put up with it. 

"We're here." He sighed as we stopped in front of a door. The house was framed in a dark wood and lined with a light colored concrete or clay. It was small but looked homely.

"If you so much as think about hurting Lumi I'll kill you." He growled, still facing the door.

"Right.." I mumbled.

He unlocked the door, opening it. He entered, the door closing behind him. I rolled my eyes, entering the house.

The room inside was warm. To my right was a sitting room with a fireplace, Lumi sat in one of the chairs at a table drawing on a piece of paper. She hummed a lighthearted tune as she swung her legs.

I looked forward to see Laurence trudging up the stairs in silence.

I went to go follow him but Lumi glanced up.

 "Oh! it's you!" She chimed, "Wanna see my drawing?"

"Huh? Oh. Sure?" I walked over to see her masterpiece. 

"What do you think?" She smiled.

I heard a thumping against the wooden chair she was sitting on. I looked to see a scaled tail with a tuft of fur at the end wagging slightly.

I looked up at her drawing trying not to be rude.

It was a picture of a shooting star falling into the water  and becoming a fish. It looked like one of those ornamental koi fish.

"Neat. What does it mean?" I turned to look at her. 

"Its you, silly!" Lumi giggled.

"I'm a fish?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, fish become dragons eventually…" Lumi fidgeted. 

"I like it." I patted her shoulder.

She giggled in glee.

"Hey, Lumi, was it?" 

"Yeah?" The antlered girl looked up at me.

"Is there a guest room, or…?" I scratched the back of my head.

"Oh? You're sleeping over? Yay! A slumber party!" Lumi cheered.

I laughed a bit at how cute this kid was. Looking at her now, I saw she had a tuft of blue feathers on her head coupled with orangish-blonde wavy hair cut short. She had two peculiar scars on her back.

She hopped up, taking my hand, breaking me away from my thoughts.

"C'mon! You can sleep in my room!" Lumi sung.

She led me up the stairs to a short upstairs hallway. Behind the door to the right was the sound of deep snoring. It must be Laurence's room. Lumi giggled as she opened the door to the left.

"My room is above the kitchen so it always smells good after Lauru cooks!" Lumi stated with pride.

"'Lauru'? Is that what you call him?" I laughed a bit.

"Yeah! 'Laurence' is a long name after all!" Lumi argued.

"How about ‘Artemis’?" I mused.

Lumi paused going into deep thought. Her face lit up.

"You're nickname is now Arty!" Lumi announced.

"Arty, huh? I like it." I smiled. It was the name Nell would call me.

Lumi threw a few spare pillows and a large wool blanket on the ground along with a down comforter she grabbed from a chest.

"Is that a good sleeping bed?" Lumi asked curiously.

"Well. I bet it better than sleeping outside." I smiled towards her, "Thank you, Lumi."

"No problem!" Lumi giggled.

I heard a gurgling noise come from Lumi.

"You're hungry, aren't you?" I hummed.

"Maybe a bit…" Lumi confessed.

There are two realms. 

---------------------------------------------------------------- One is Modern-Futuristic and is set in a dystopian world. We will call this realm Dysta. Zane became King of The People’s Republic of O'khasis through sketchy political means [*cough* assassinations *cough*]. O’khasis has the highest technology in the area and most of the world there is wild as most people cluster in large cities. Villages [the few that are out in the frontier] are called Settlements. They are ruled by Representatives or Mayors. O’khasis has conquered all main cities except for the Frontier Settlements. There is no Nether or End. It is an active warzone everywhere and many buildings are in ruins. People live in fear and hatred, mostly. Shadows knights are called Exo-Knights as they wear armor [similar to SPARTAN armor from Halo] to give them their inhuman speed and strength. No magic need. A rebellion rose in this realm. A rebel by the name of Artemis killed Zane in this realm but caused a series of civil wars as rulers struggled for power and resources. Aphmau/Irene never saved the day in this realm. Many were killed by O’khassian Soldiers along with many Vampires, Werewolves, Daeconics and Meif’was. Magic users are called sensitives [as they are sensitive to an invisible force].

----------------------------------------------------------------

“Comradery”

I walked down the main street of the village, humming my usual marching cadence. I was trying my best to brush off this morning. Out of the corner of my eye I spied the two boys from the tree playing with wooden swords. The blonde boy was chasing about the older boy with his sword.

What were their names again?

“Levin! Don’t chase your brother around! Malachi! Put up a fight!” A large, rather built man in red barked at the boys.

“Oh, Aaron, they’re just playing.” Lady Aphmau smiled towards the man, her hand was intertwined with his as they sat on a bench in the town square.

Aphmau’s gaze fell on me and she gave a small wave and a quaint smile.

Aaron raised an eyebrow as Aphmau whispered into his ear.

I bit my cheek, deciding to walk up to the two boys, a twinkle in my eye. Levin stopped chasing Malachi as both looked at me. They looked slightly younger than Lila and Lumi so I felt I could safely assume they were preteens.

I smiled as I took a standard boxing stance, facing the boys, my posture inviting them to try and take a swing at me.

They both lunged at me, wooden weapons raised for the imaginary kill. I ducked about, dodging most but taking a few strikes. I stifled laughter as I fell to the ground, feigning death in the world’s most exaggerated manner.

The two boys shouted in victory.

“Yeah! We did it!” Levin cheered, raising his trusty sword.

I sat up as Malachi went to help me up. He wore an oversized emerald green scarf that near perfectly matched his soft eyes.

“Need help up, ma’am?” He politely asked.

“Of course. Such a gentleman, you are.” I smiled taking his small hand, getting up.

Levin tapped my ribs, tearing my attention away from Malachi.

“Yes?” I smiled to him.

“How’d you dodge so many of my swings? What are you, a magick user?” He questioned.

“Magick? Oh. No?” I tilted my head, before following up with, “It’s all about predicting your opponent's next move. Here lemme show you.”

I helped Levin get into a boxing stance, showing him how if someone wants to move one way they will usually move a certain way, shifting their weight in specific manners.

“So it’s like an unspoken language?” He asked after the short lesson.

I nodded, “Yeah. People can be predictable at times.”

The face of a fallen soldier soaked in blood flashed in the corner of my eye, causing my gaze to jerk towards it. Nothing was there. I shook my head, trying to keep it off of my mind.

I had to ignore it.

I waved to the Lady and Lord, after asking where the inn was, making my way down the street. I had never noticed it before but the air here seemed sweeter and warmer. It brought on a homely feeling. I liked it.

I came upon a large two story building. It was built similarly to Laurence’s home but on a bigger scale. Its clay walls were whitewashed, which was different. I entered the building, walking under the sign displaying a mug of beer.

A dirty blonde man, clad in red, glanced up from behind a bar counter. He sighed as he poured a new mug of beer, setting it in front of a chainmail-clad man with a blue tabard.

“P-Put it on my tab, Logan” The obviously drunk patron slurred, not bothering to raise his head from the counter.

“Sure…” Logan, the inn owner and barkeep sighed, rolling his deep blue eyes.

I watched him as I walked in the room before I heard a loud screech.

I jumped back, arms up, ready to brace for an attack. But none came.

I looked down to a teary eyed, pink haired Meif’wa in a maid outfit holding her tail in pain, sitting on the ground.

“O-Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry!” I crouched down to help her.

I was pushed back onto my bottom by a woman in a striped sweater.

“What’s wrong with you?” The striped sweater woman hissed, a frontier accent clearly heard.

“D-Donna, it’s okay.” The Meifwa sniffled.

The woman took a deep breath.

“I didn’t see her. I do apologize.” I bowed my head. The Meif’wa got up, hugging me.

I looked at her, confusion plastered all over my face.

“It’s okay! Kawaii-Chan forgives you.~” The Meif’wa smiled.

“Uh…Who is…?” I started to ask.

“She talks in the third person. It’s what most Meif’wa do.” Donna sighed.

“Right.” I nodded.

By this point, Logan walked over.

“So, you’re the one they dragged out of the ocean.” He sounded impressed, also having a heavy frontier accent.

“Yes, sir. I actually wanted to ask you about something.” I scratched the back of my head.

He raised an eyebrow.

“I heard you were looking for an extra pair of hands for helping out with the inn? I’m in need of work, you see.” I continued.

“Now look here, Logan doesn’t make much money here and-” Donna interjected.

“I don’t need payment.” I confessed.

They both stared at me in confusion.

“Just- I don’t like being idle and if I’m going to stay in town I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands. See my issue?” I smiled awkwardly.

“We’ll pay you. Won’t be much, but it’ll be payment all the same.” Logan crossed his arms, “What kind of skills do you have?”

“I’m pretty good at serving tables used to do it back home for a while when I was younger. I also can clean dishes, wipe down tables, and such.” I lied. I spent my life before joining the rebellion in the outskirts of an O’khassian city struggling to survive. I saw my fair share of horrors and street wars back then.

“Alright. You’re hired.” Logan smiled, “How about you start by wiping down the tables?”

“Alrighty.” I smiled.

Night fell faster than usual that night. Logan sent me off for the day as he closed down the tavern. I had to help get the chainmail-clad man, Dale, home without falling onto his face. His family was very thankful.

I walked up to Laurence’s door, sighing.

I hoped this morning’s incident didn’t make life hell for me again.

I opened the door.

Laurence was waiting for me, leaning against the wall in the stairway. He was dozing, though, his weight being precariously balanced. He was in a simple white shirt and loose brown sleeping pants. He didn’t have his boots on, either. I sighed, smiling softly.

“Oh, Laurence…” I sighed as I quietly closed the door behind me.

His eyes snapped open as he jolted, with a shout, “No more! Leave me alone!”

He would have fallen down the stairs, cracking his head open, if I hadn’t caught him.

His breathing was hastey and short at first, but as soon as he realized it was me, he was seemingly brought back to reality.

“Artemis…” He breathed, following up with, “Thank you.” 

He brushed himself off as soon as he stood up.

“I suppose I’m not the only one with nightmares…” I smiled sorely.

“No…” He sighed, looking exhausted. I was slightly happy I wasn’t alone, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t worried about him.

“Have you and Lumi eaten?” I changed the subject.

He gazed at me, his mind processing, before nodding with a yawn. I smiled, throwing his arm over my shoulders, supporting him. It was almost midnight, but he had waited for me. How sweet. I smiled as we marched our drowsy selves up the stairs, leaning against each other. We stopped at his door.

“You okay?” He looked down at me.

“Inner 𝍆𝌩 Strength”

“Hidden Meanings”

I approached the gates of Phoenix Drop, my brows furrowed. I carried my old clothes under my arm, having loosely slapped on my shoes. I hadn’t bothered to lace them. I didn’t really care to. 

It was the witching hour. I was a stressed out, frustrated mess of a person as I stumbled and fell, taking a knee to regain my senses. As I stood up, I stared at my reflection in Cadenza’s shop window. My eyes had a glint of blood red overtaking my usual pale green eyes. 

Perhaps it was because I was tired. 

I rolled my eyes continuing on. My gaze lazily shifted skyward, only to disappointingly see thick, overcast clouds. A shadow scurried along a rooftop, jumping and gliding out of sight into an alleyway.

I must have been seeing things.

I sighed, “Hopefully everyone is okay. I just wanna sleep in my bed.”

I walked down the path leading to Laurence’s home, humming quietly to myself to try and lighten my mood. I looked up seeing the same old house with night flowers blooming in the garden. Lumi must have planted them.

The front door was wide open.

I took my steps lightly as I entered, my glazed eyes shifting about.

The sitting room was empty, but nothing looked thrown about. 

A warm scent wafted in from the kitchen. It was bread.

I set foot into the doorway, yet stopped. Something inside me screamed that I didn’t belong here. I was frozen.

𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋

Lumi looked hummed cheerily as she turned looking at a sleeping Laurence. He had passed out while she was baking welcome home cookies for when Arty came home. Nellus was out looking for Arty too, which was good! Lumi couldn’t wait for her best friend to come home.

A floorboard creaked in the doorway. Lumi excitedly ran from the counter where she was kneading dough to greet the stranger. It had to be Arty! 

Lumi stared up at the red eyed figure, letting out a shrill scream, backing away. 

It was a Shadow Knight! They were coming to take her away too!

𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋

I stared down dully at a screaming Lumi. My lip twitched in irritation. Why was she screaming? 

I was home. 

I was finally home. 

That was a good thing. 

Right?

𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋𝌀𝍉𝍋

Laurence hopped to his feet, having awoken from the screaming. He drew his sword from its scabbard on his hip, charging at the figure. 

He wasn’t going to let them take anyone else.

He shoved past Lumi and swung.

𝌕

The pain across my chest was numb yet sharp.

Red blood dripped from Laurance’s sword, onto his hand.

I stared at his hands. His knuckles were white, still gripping the sword.

I looked to his face. It was white as well. His face was plastered with a face I couldn’t describe. 

The room around me was blurring in and out.

Radio static filled my ears as my world fell sideways.

Or was I falling?

𝍓𝌚

“Hidden Friends”

Corro sent a glowing slash into the obsidian gate, cleaving one of it’s supports in half. It began to crumble, falling apart. The purple smog dissipated as our pursuers’ voices were growing close. They faded into the sounds of the deep woods. I heard the clanging of metal as he sheathed his sword.

I looked around me, feeling horribly lost. The trees arched up, nearly blotting out the sky and the brush was thick. These were dark woods.

Corro began trudging away, a shadow looming over him. He seemed to be following a game trail. 

I followed him, wading through the underbrush and ferns.

“Corro…” I found myself saying.

He ducked under a fallen tree into what looked like a badger den without replying. I hesitated but eventually followed him inside.

The den was much larger than I thought on the inside. There was a table with a stool, a little alcove for storage and a cot with pelts on it for a mattress. The room was littered with papers with sketches on them.

“Corro.” I called out to him as he was removing him armor. He set the crimson set on a rather rough looking bench, “Or is that even your real name?”

He snapped a glare towards me, his grey eyes having a slight crimson tint.

“It is my real name,” He hissed.

“Why would you help them?” I asked abruptly.

He marched up to me, grabbing me by my tunic, slamming me into his table.

“Because I wanted to know why!” He shouted in my face, “I wanted to find out what would possess a person to wipe out an entire race!”

He sighed as he turned away, his eyes fading back to gray. I rubbed my now sore back, grumbling to myself.

“You should go home. If you follow the game trail past this den it’ll take you to the road.” He sounded broken.

I was silent.

“Don’t worry about me.” He gruffed, “No one really knows about my little hideout here. I’ll be fine. I also saved your old outfit from being burnt.”

I wanted to tell him about Nell and how he was a Daeconic as well but anger muted me. I swiped my clothes and shoes, in frustration. I turned, climbing out of the den without a single goodbye.

 Why was I angry? He had just saved me from an undesirable situation.

Something was different about me.

And I didn’t like it.

I followed the game trail as he said, coming across a dirt road. He never told me which way to go on the road. What an idiot.

I looked to the sky to see the sun was setting. I remembered the ocean I fell into was east of the village. A gust of wind brought the smell of salt from the left of me into my face. I followed the smell of the ocean eastward, my back to the setting sun.

I was coming home a different person, I feared.

The Dark: A Mumford and Sons Cover/Re-lyric-thing.

I’d imagine Arty singing this to Laurence cause why not? Last bit would more so be while she’s missing him.