Thread: Shadows in the Light: Prologue

Well, congratulations, I wrote more Enough to warrant a post I think. SO here y'all go! The building wasn't quite as spattered in blood, and lacked the hook in the ceiling to hang a person from in the First Layer. Nicolas checked on how Maka Koa was doing regularly, and to his immense relief, the wounds on her arms were closing. He shook Barry out of his nap. She's healing. he told him quickly. I'm overjoyed. You woke me up for that? Barry sleepily replied. Yeah, it's important to keep you informed. And you want me to take over for you so you can grab a nap. Well, yeah, that too. I haven't been through the Layers much in the last few years. Wears me out faster than it should. All right, all right. Grab some sleep. I'll keep an eye on her. Twelve hours after she'd been saved from whatever fate the spirit had planned for her. Maka Koa was sitting up, alert, and looking around the room, and at the two men with her. Her arms were healed, though they still showed vicious scars on them. It was about as good as Nicolas could have hoped for. So... She started, her voice somewhat shaky still. ...who the hell are you guys? Nicolas smiled. People who took care of the thing that was hurting you. And wanted to make sure you understood what was going on. Wow, that almost tells me nothing! And what exactly is going on? Her voice had a bite to it that made Nicolas smile. She still had some spirit to her. You had a bad run in with a pretty powerful spirit. And it was...trying to get you to give up your essence. She stared at Nicolas a moment before asking hte obvious question. Why? It's how they get stronger. Blood and essence. But unless they're a very specific type of spirit, they can't take it from you. It has to be given. So it was trying to...persuade you. She rubbed her forearms, and shivered. So...what happened to it? She asked. We...sort of killed it. Barry answered. How do you sort of kill something? She looked at him like she thought he was an idiot. Nicolas held up his dagger. With something like this. He told her. She stared at blade, not completely sure of what it as she was looking at, other than a weapon. Cold forged iron, and specially prepared to act as a prison to the things we fight. So that thing will be sealed away, unable to hurt anyone else for as long as it stays within the blade. And...how long is that? Forever. It's rare enough to be almost unheard of for one of these blades to be broken, releasing the contents. But. Now we need to talk about you. She nodded. So I'm...somewhere? I'm still in the beach house? Maka asked. Barry nodded, then shook his head. Yes and no. Your body is not here, but your soul, that's been hanging around here for awhile. He told her. And how exactly do I get this problem fixed? Both men smiled. She adapted to the situation very easily. She was definitely a rare one. The hospital was not large, looking much more like a small resort from the outside. Maka was in a bed, hooked up to a number of monitoring devices, but looking peaceful. A layer deep, the young woman was staring at her body in stunned disbelief. So...this was all real. I wasn't having the worst nightmare ever. She said aloud. No. Afraid not, much as I wish it had been. Nicolas replied. She rubbed her arms again, something he noticed was becoming a habit. The spiritual wounds might have closed, but it looked like the psychological ones were going to be a little longer in the recovery. So...even if I go back to the body...what do I even do anymore? Barry shrugged. Whatever you want really. Pick up your life. How? How do I go back to just...living like this, after everything that's gone on? I can't...can't get it out of my head. And if I tell anyone about it, I'm going to the looney bin. Nicolas didn't respond. Wish I had something comforting to say here Maka. But I don't. We've all got to find our own way through things like this. She turned to look at him, tears in her eyes. Can't...can't you help me? Just to get through this? I mean, you saved me. Why...why not finish the job? Save me again? She asked. There was a lot of conflicting emotions in that voice. Wounded pride, fear, challenge, and pure desperate hope. Nicolas couldn't let it just pass, much as he knew he should. What would you do then Maka? Would you face down another monster like that one? He asked her. She twitched, almost a full body convulsion at the thought, before looking him in eye. I'd kill that fucker. She hissed. How? Any way I could! She spat. Nicolas felt himself smiling. Barry was shaking his head, out of Maka's line of sight, indicating that this was a bad line of thought. But Nicolas pushed on. Then come with us. Get your feet under you. And come with us. She stared at him.. Even if I'm...damaged goods? Nicolas and Barry both burst out laughing. Maka was looking progressively more furious before Nicolas calmed down enough to speak. Maka, we're not laughing at you. Well, not exactly. Ah hell. Look, it's like this. Most everyone that works with us is at least as damaged as you are. And you were hanging for that thing for six. Months. And you never quit. If you can bring that kind of dedication to the Order...we'll be glad to have you. We'll train you. Show you what's out there. You'll be able to help people in situations like yours. Nicolas explained. Maka rubbed her arms, and tapped the side of her head. And...you'll help get rid of...what's up here? She sounded so...hopeful. Nicolas shook his head. No. He saw her face start to fall. But we can teach you to carry it. How to make it into something that you can use, instead of something that controls you. We can teach you how to fight the darkness. Maka looked Nicolas in the eye, the brim of tears still there, before she stalked to her body, and sat on the bed. A moment later, her spiritual form faded. Her eyes, her real eyes, opened, and she gave a gasping cry, the sensation of being back in her body a sudden and painful experience. Her hand flailed about, six months of inactivity leaving her more than a little out of sorts. She managed to hit a call button to bring a nurse. Nicolas took a deep breath, and Stepped, a hole ripping in the veil for his passage. He left a card on the side table, and winked at Maka. We'll be in touch. Soon. He Stepped back, hiding under the Layers. So can we go home now? Barry asked. Nicolas nodded. Yeah. I think we can. A smile on his face, with the knowledge that they had saved one soul, found a recruit for the Order, and done good work that needed doing, Nicolas felt like he truly had come home again.