37 Blind Step Forward (2/2)
”Like I said, go to the cottage and check it out.” Leo said as he smiled at his friend. ”Tomorrow, anyone who sees us will only see another two peasants traveling.”
Walking to the cottage, Bianca turned around to see Leo searching the area. She sent a silent thanks his way. Thinking of what it would have been like if he hadn't been there made her shudder involuntarily. She was glad to have a friend along on this incredibly insane journey. Shutting the door behind her, she got to work. ”We're coming Will.” she said to herself as she set to work.
Miles away from the two companions, a dark door opened on an empty road facing a village. Two dark shapes emerged as the door slammed shut.
Will looked in front of him to see Two rows of cottages which closely resembles Maya's old home. The sun had just finished setting as the last glint of light fell off of a nearby roof.
Looking around outside the village, Will noticed fields of wheat on his left and corn on his right. In his opinion within a mediaeval period, the village was quite prosperous.
”So we finally made it.” Will looked over at Maya who had a small smile on her face as she looked over the town. Nostalgia filled the void of her dark eyes. ”This is Nearwood Village.”
Understanding hit Will like a baseball bat. This was the place Maya was planning to take him when they were on the road. It was a crop port in some ways he supposed. It also happened to be the halfway point to Ebonhart.
”So you are here to collect taxes?” Will raised an eyebrow. ”Let me guess, the guard is a little understaffed?” he let out a little chuckle at the thought of Maya knocking on doors to collect money.
”No Will.” she said in a small voice. ”I'm the insurance policy for the kingdom. I'm the one they send when people don't pay the tax.” she said with a look of defeat.
”You don't mean what I think you do I hope.” he said, his eyes narrowing as he started to see the full picture. ”Maya you hated those tax collectors, I saved you from them.” he tried to see her face, though she kept it facing the town.
”Don't you think I know that?” she was almost in tears as she looked over the cottages. ”Turning me into the one thing I hate most, fitting punishment don't you think?” Maya looked at Will, a tear falling down her cheek.
Seeing that Maya was still allowed to show emotion, Will decided to try his luck. ”Then don't do it.” he said with a small voice. ”Don't become something I have to stop.”
She only smiled at the thought. ”Instead of thinking of stopping me, think of how to help these people.” Will's eyes went wide at her thought. ”It isn't me who kills these people, but the one who holds the strings.” Looking away from Will, she continued. ”I don't mean that metaphorically, as soon as the last rays of light fall from the sky,” she looked up at the purple sky as the sun disappeared. ”My captors take over.” she returned her gaze to Will as darkness descended. ”Don't waste the time I give you.”
Maya's features darkened as the stars became their only source of light. She was no longer looking at Will, instead she started towards the village.
Not knowing what else to do, Will followed. If he abandoned her, she would forever be lost to the corruption which consumed her. At least this way he could figure out how to save her.
Maya stopped at the first house. Opening the door, Will looked over her shoulder to see a man and his wife huddled in the corner. His two young sons of which one looked to be fifteen with shoulder length brown hair. The other was a head taller with shorter hair, both of them shook at the sight of Maya. They stood defiantly in front, trying to shield them from Maya.
”Please no!” the younger of the two pleaded. ”We have the rest of the money see?” he took out a few pieces of copper and presented them to her.
Within moments, it seemed the pleading fell on deaf ears. It didn't matter that the teenagers were standing in front, Will could hear a shriek behind them. Looking at Maya, her hand was slightly raised with a darkness surrounding it. The sons turned around to see their parents withering to ash before their eyes.
As fast as the deed was done, Maya was turning to leave. Will watched the two sons. The youngest seemed to be scooping up the remnants of his parents, holding them close. The second only looked at Will, a defiant look of rage adorned his tear streaked face.
As Maya turned the corner, Will knelt by the two kids. ”Do you want a way to ensure this doesn't happen again to someone you care about? Answer quickly I don't have much time.” he said as he looked towards the door.
The oldest was the first to nod followed by his brother. ”Good,” Will said as he reached out his hands. ”What are your names?” he asked as he placed a hand on a shoulder of both of the boys.
”James.” the oldest said without blinking. ”This is my brother Benjamin.” he looked at his brother.
”Good.” Will said as he looked at the kids. ”My name is William Ragnos, the Prince of Crystallia. As his name was voiced, his aura shined within the cottage. The boys eyes widened at the name as well as the light emitting from within him.
”I give you the power to fight back.” he said in a quiet tone. ”Soon some friends of mine will be here to show you how to use it. Just know that you will not be shackled to this life forever.” he said as he stood and went for the door. ”Stay strong.” with that, he left the small home and trailed off after Maya leaving the boys to mourn their loss.
Maya stopped at the next door, only taking a moment to look back at Will before entering.
The evening was spent going to each home. With every death, Will gave the village the spark of defiance. Though this wasn't the initial plan, he had to improvise and leave his friends the army they needed as he went.
Looking back at the village as they finished the last home, Will took out his phone and sent a flame into it. Thinking of Leo, he only could think of one thing to say. ”Find them.” he whispered as he followed Maya back through the door of darkness to his new home.