1 Chapter One

The man eased into her body, softly, at first light. Only to make love to her, hungrily in the middle of an open grassy, forest clearing. Relentelly pushing the girl deeper into the haze of pleasure and desire, though she'd be lying if she said she felt anything. Forcing the warmth between their skin to combine, the flames from the small pit, made of bones and pieces of large wood, accompanied them for a long while. The girl arched beanthe him, her body on the verge of shattering till she forced her mind to remember. The cold touch from a blue paintbrush, stroked the lines along her shoulders, down to her arms, as she brushed the soft materials belonging to pieces of colored cloth, with long, boney, fingertips. As she concreted, feeling his own fingertips clawing at the back of her head, easing into her hair, practically clawing at her. Desiring to consume every inch of who she was. He wanted her, like she was the prey, and he the hunter. She was the rabbit in this situation, and his body was the cage. Locked away inside, trapped forever, with a lost, metal key. Suddenly and without explanation, she pulled herself free from him, wrenching up past him, with arms wrapped around her own body in an attempt to cover up. It seemed to have taken every ounce of willpower for the girl not to flee into the peaceful temperature of the fire, beside her, as she stopped. When a touch like slick traced the blue veins along her hand.

She searched those soft, emerald eyes, in an attempt to understand what it was he was doing. Only to watch as he crossed his arms, placing them to his sticky, shirtless front, unable to quell the thirst for answers, she was unable to give. ''What's the matter?'' he asked searching her features. ''Did I do something wrong?'' he asked a second time. Pressing a hand to the side of his face, trailing the patterns of his facial hair, she cooled his nerves with a lie. ''You did fine, don't worry.'' she smiled. ''It wasn't you, I just don't feel like continuing.''

''Oh whew,'' he let out. ''I almost thought for a second, it was because of me. Which couldn't be the case seeing as everyone says I'm great!'' A wilde, cocky, smile appeared on his face now, which only caused the girl to squirm in disgust. Clawing to the right of her, eager to re-dress herself, she reached into the spot she'd left her clothing. Starting with a shadow, featureless jacket, known to everyone in the camp as the ''Hunter's jacket'' Home to many, as they offered protection with the many open pockets, and secret compartments large enough for anything suitable of importance. She drew her eyes to the floor again, where a pair of dark, pants and a belt resigned. The buckle of the belt had been coated with a soft, shimmering, kind of silver, with the back of the buckle had janky pieces of nails sticking out from all the times the thing had fallen apart. Even though the belt wasn't in the greatest of conditions, she loved it nonetheless. She ran her cold fingers down along the middle, securely making a tight fit around her lean waist. She took a couple of seconds to search in the compartments of the jacket for her dagger, releasing a cool breath of air once found, as she curled her fingers around the middle handle. This caught the attention of the man, as he looked straight into her direction.

''You sure care for that dagger,'' ''Must have belonged to someone mighty special?'' She didn't even need to look at him to tell he was still staring. Now that she was fully clothes again, she simply nodded, eyes colder than she meant, as she brushed the dirt and leafs from her long, earthly, brown colored hair. Eager to rid herself of the smell of cranberries and burnt ash, she turned from him in an attempt to leave, till from behind, the man's expression took on the form of rock, as he groaned in pleasure at the sight of her. Again, she felt disgusted, her stomach turning with knots, with a expression as sharp as her own blade, she told him exactly what she thought of him.

He didn't seem to care what she was telling him, for his breath only continued to sting the back of her neck, once he drew close. Pressing himself into her, sounds of squishing and pulling, erupting from her jacket. Without a thought of hesitation, she bent back her elbow, and released, sending the back of her arm connecting with the man's face. The result had a pool of scarlet trailing from his nose down around his cheeks, as the dirt path managed to capture his fall. ''That's quite enough,'' she growled. ''You're disgusting me.'' She stared down from where he sat, waves of anger shooting through him as a projection, as she watched him try to stand, she slammed down with the back of her elbow for the second time, resulting in a equally second shove. A cloud of smoke erupted into the air from where he fell, as his expression cooled his temper with embarrassment, as he hissed at her. Spit escaping his attempts to curse her, till the darkness around them, put the flames out.

Her heart was in her mouth at the howl of a group of wolves, her muscles were tensing, the sound of the man's whimpers and cries to be saved, capturing parts of her attention, as his green eyes told her what happened next. Betrayal exploded throughout her insides as she watched the man practically shoot up from where he once sat, dust and dirt covering his butt in patches of white. One of the wolves followed closely after him, only when her ears picked up on his screams, did she truly understand what had happened.

Her eyes filled with terror, as sweat dropped in tiny balls from all parts of her forehead. Her hands were shivering then shaking, from the cold? She was sure that wasn't it, till her mind shattered with all possibilities. Each leading in her death. Just as quickly, her hands concentrated on all parts of the dagger she held, brown eyes going sharp as blanket of darkness took over the sights. Her eyes, no longer human like, as scarlet dripped from an open cut past the middle of her thumb, she took the tip of the new sharpened arrow head, as all pain around her became nonexistent. It was as if all sense of further pain had become lost to her. A high, kneeing whisple pealed out in the air surrounding her, and the sight of the wolves vanished as fast as they'd come, only to be replaced with two, longingly, amused assailants.

Neither of them showed her any kind of friendship or kindness, so she knew what was going to be asked of her. She was sure from their silent stares, they were not going to allow her to leave, alive. She pulled a full breath of cold oxygen into her lungs, then exhaled it back into the world, then her body was flying. Breaking the walls of wind and air, as she stormed on forwards.

Death, wounds, the loss of family -- I fear nothing.

Blood stained the contents of the forest ground around her, deep dark scarlet red, containing the smell of sickly metal, all wrapped together in one disgusting bundle of salt, and sweat. The smell caused her nostrils to flare as she fought to clear the streams of tears clouding her vision. Faced with a deadly task, one that just might've meant the end of her, and she'd held her ground. Came out a winner, a successful fighter, just like she'd practiced. The bundle of tainted blood vanished slowly, the smell of fresh leaves bringing fourth the memories of springtime flowers, capturing her attention, as she pulled the front of the arrow free from where she'd stabbed it, through skin into the brain.

''Damnit,'' she cursed. Once the arrow head was free, she noticed the damage. What she was seeing caused anger to bleed onto her expression, as she touched the spot on her leg as soft and light as she could as to not cause any greater pain. The heat from the arrows blast had managed to create a hole in her pants, just above her knees, where the fabric of her pants were torn away. Split apart where underneath it, her skin looked ''unrecognizable'' a dark shade of red and burns made up of charcoal black staring up at her. Before she could inspect the damage further, the thick branches broke around her, forcing her posture to change, as she stiffened herself straight.

''Who's there? Come out, you've already been detected.'' Her fingers curled sharpenly around the handle of the arrow head she held, her feet guiding her back to the empty fireplace, now dark and cold. Her attention shifted when a voice surrounded by fear and want stormed into her. ''Wow, wow! Okay, don't attack me, don't attack me,'' he repeated, arms stuck in front of him, surrendering. ''I'm to young to die, I'm only eighteen.....'' cried a youthful voice, one that sent annoyance to replace the anger stiffening her bones.

''God dammit Valerian!'' she hissed. ''If I hand't recognized you when I did, I could've killed you! How the hell do you hold the title as my ''second in command'' when you pull foolish stunts like this!'' She growled harsher, the more her mind motioned the possibilities in which her actions could've destroyed him. ''You seem really angry commander? What is the reasoning for such fury?'' he asked a small smile appearing on his well-rounded and friendly face. ''Valerian Crow I swear to god...if you-''

''Wow there! Commander, I wasn't going to turn this situation into one of my jokes....scouts honour! I really just wanted to know..'' She rolled her eyes at this, only then did she brush the bits of sweat forming around her forehead, the back of her hand appearing glossy and damp. Her eyes never did turn to a new direction, she was hooked on Valerian. Taking in every single inch of him, how the moonlight brought out the shine behind every strand of his silver hair. How the darkness gathering could brighten up such gentle green eyes. But as quickly as her emotions stormed inside, they vanished just as fast was the realization came. On his face was a scar. One that ran down from his jaw, ending just above his right eye. The sight of it, left a sour taste, long lasting in her mouth. Memories from that fateful day couldn't stop itself from retracting her thoughts, and creating a new flash of darkness, as the battle scene played all around her. For a second she felt her throat tightening, as if she was being choked to death, as if the air gathered inside her lungs were slowly seeping out. Only when she heard Valerian calling for her, did she seem to snap back. ''What're you even doing out here so late?'' he asked. ''Don't you realize what time it is? The others are actually starting to think you died out here, and have thoughts about replacements!? And of course, my brother nominated himself...'' Valerian rolled his soft green eyes, as his words cut sharp, deep, inside her chest, leading up to the frown now trapped on her face. ''I'm gone....searching for food, and all they can think about is if I died?!'' she didn't mean for her words to come out so aggressive as they did, but from the look on his face, she was forunture for what happened next.

''They'd never replace you.....cause I wouldn't allow them too.'' His gentle tone, and kind words wanted to slice her half, she knew it did. That had been his approach from the very beginning, make her feel special with kindness. Valerian was truly one of the greats. ''Kale was out here with you, wasn't he? Where'd he ran up too?'' Inside, she was burning with anger at the remainder of Kale. The man who'd rather save himself, and let her die, then stay and fight. What she said next, she didn't regret. ''That bastard deserved what happened to him! I wish I could've see the look on his face, when he realized his time was up!'' Her tone was sharp like she'd intended, fingers arched from the winter wind, as she clenched and unclenched them in an attempt to keep all feeling in their tips. ''I'm going to take a guess here, and say he's dead? Isn't he?'' All she had to do was nod, and three seconds passed before Valerian's expression shifted, eyebrows risen, as his awkwardness returned his soft smile.

''I wish I had been here, maybe then none of this would've happened.....''

''It's fine, seriously don't worry about it.'' Faith replied. ''Kale was never interested in giving me his loyalty, he just wanted something to fuck!'' The sheer sharpness to her voice had been enough to get the winds started for the cold gripped them for a few moments, as the farther chills continued to run up and down her spine, chilling and freezing her attempts to keep warm, as she whispered something only able to be heard by Valerian. ''This cold is only going to worsen, we should call it a night, and return tomorrow.'' Valerian nodded as he turned around, off the lead the charge. But before she could follow, Faith turned her attention behind her. Her body went rigid suddenly, and that's when confusion crossed her features. The rabbit. Was missing....

***

A familiar pin of Valerian's voice cooled her mind of all the hate and confusion, till the numbness took over. ''Faith? What's the matter? I didn't want to say anything in case you didn't want to talk about it, but you've been really quite since we started walking back to base? How are you really doing? Like honestly? Gotten enough sleep?'' ''You know? If you need a little break, I wouldn't mind taking over a few of your morning shifts for a while....maybe then you'd be able to get some more sleep?'' It didn't matter if she desperately needed sleep, even if she got the time too, these days, her mind was the only thing keeping her from getting a peaceful nights sleep. And everyday, it only worsened. The terrible, awful, nightmares. How they never left.

The gesture sent a shiver up her spine as her voice returned, hardened. ''Not a chance. I'll sleep better knowing all the arrow are dead.'' Bluish lips transforming from the cold forced her to bite the thick layer of frost building across her lips, as she noticed Valerian picking up speed. The only time he looked at her, was to make sure the cold hadn't gotten to her, somehow. ''To lead takes great responsibility, but to be a commander, anyone can do that....but .only the great protectors will be the ones easily remembered.''

For a second Faith swore she could hear her father's voice storming the corners of her mind, as she shook her head to free them. Step after step along the dirt path, she was greatful when the voice finally disappeared. Only then did the sound of heavy drums around her, force her attention to become stronger, as she dropped her eyes to the dirt below her. A powerful wave of worry and adrenaline shot through her, at both times, turning her boling blood blue, as frostbite threatened to bite her. Somewhere inside her, she felt danger-

Before she could catch a new, powerful breath, she shot herself forwards, throwing herself, practically against her friend, grabbing onto him as tight and firmly as she could, mustering as much of his body weight into her as she could. Once she felt him near, she began searching every compartment, every pocket for a dagger. Searching and searching until she finally found it. Geared up, she slowed her movements. Her brown eyes burned from the heat of her own falling sweat, as she studied every piece of scenery. ''Just stay right there....do not move..'' she ordered once she felt Valerian stiffen a little, the warmth of his body, climbing up, disappearing into the folds of her blue skin. The hair on the back of her neck bristled and a second chill coursed down her spine. Shouting. ''Duck!

With the back of her left hand, she pushed down on his head, keeping him low and protected as the dagger broke free from her grip. Following by a wet sound, she was panting now. She felt her grip around him began to loosen, only when she found a moment to gather her breath, did her knees suddenly give out underneath her, sending her falling to the ground, as she felt Valerian's eyes pinned on her. ''Dead?'' She remained right where she'd fallen, eyes glued to her friend, as Valerian took small steps in front of him, a small clearing between the trees, where she smelled blood. ''Holy...Faith...you got it.''

She was standing again,observing The arrow, he was right before her eyes. Impaled. The dagger had gone straight through his chest, forcing blood to pool out of the wound. As her eyes found the arrows cool blue ones, she began to notice something. Something about him was different. This arrow was a boy. Her lip began to quiver at the realization. She felt the sting of her actions burning her skin, as she drew foot in front of the other, ''Commander? Don't get to close! He may attack you!'' she heard Valerian trying to reason with her, but all the same, she ignored him. This was something that had to be done. This boy was innocent.....he was innocent...and she struck first. ''Faith?''

''I'm so so sorry.'' Her fingers curled around the handle of the dagger, then she pulled upwards. The dagger came out, like butter. The boy's blue eyes were glossy and faded as she did this, letting out a sorrowful gasp of pain so deep she clasped her hand to her mouth with her available hand to try and contain it. She swallowed down the sobs, wiping her eyes free of tears, as she turned. ''Drain the blood from the man's veins, replace it with water, then, and only then, shall there be no more war.''

''Who said that?'' Valerian asked, watching her, saddened.

''My father,'' She chocked back another sob, then wrapped her arms around him. Pulling him as close as she could, the tears finally breaking through. ''Faith, you did what you had too. If that's what you need to hear, I'll give it to you..'' She swallowed, taking back the tears, as in the corner, she could just make out the glint of starlight from the dagger, where it laid motionless, awaiting for her to pick it up. Once she was ready she broke away from the hug, swooping with one hand, she picked the dagger up, and lead the way back to base. But as she lead, she felt the pools of guilt flooding into her. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was she wasn't born a murderer. She didn't enjoy it. She wasn't a bad person. The new world had transformed her into one. This new world commanded by hell. If murder was what it took to defend her home and the people, she was fully prepared to bare the responsibility of doing so.