Ch 23: Another Blood Forest

Inle's polished blade moved silently and smoothly through the pale moonlight beneath the canopy. The would-be assassin choked as he retched a stream of blood onto the cool, dark forest floor. Inle's new steel mask gleamed under a ray of moonlight, spotted with streaks of blood. He thought back to the day that Elucard had given him his new mask as he slowly dragged two fingers through the warm, sticky blood that had spattered on it.

'Inle, your old mask represented the family and life that you once had. It is for the best that it was broken. However, I give to you a new symbol of the life you have now; of the family that surrounds you. Together, we will make you a stronger person.'

Inle stood motionless with eyes closed and breathed softly. His jet black leather armor would have been spotless were it not for several small, wide arcs of blood that had sprayed across his torso. He breathed a quick sigh, shaking away the memories and faces of his recent victims, then cleaned the blood from his blade. He needed to be precise. The Blood Forest was not his only test. He was tasked, like many others in the forest, to protect a Veiled Mender. He, however, had the added weight of having to protect the childhood friend of his mentor, and Jetta was making this no easy task.

"Jetta, we must move quicker. I hear another pair not far from the east." Inle wanted to keep Jetta safe, but also reveled in the idea of spilling more blood beneath the dark, dimly lit canopy. Jetta knew this but took no comfort in it.

"We could make our way quicker if you would quit killing everyone who had the misfortune of crossing our paths," Jetta said with slightly more reproach in her voice than she had intended, "This is supposed to mirror a real world escort mission, not a siege," her voice carried less edge this time. It was almost soft.

Inle grinned wickedly beneath his mask. She made a fair point. He had been going slightly, out of his way to kill off the competition. Elucard had regaled him with stories of the Blood Forest for the past couple of months. His mentor had told him how he was originally sickened by the thought of taking a life, but Inle felt nothing inside when his blade sunk through cloth and skin. In fact, apart from his strong feelings for Elucard, he was almost completely empty inside. He did, however, revel in his role as one of Alanna's harbingers of death. The power that came with ending a life and the notion each death could tip the scales of balance in the world thrilled him.

Although Jetta's new life had left her numb and unfazed at the sight of death, she would have preferred to be fighting to preserve life. In her eyes, even the death of a Rabbit seemed a great waste. She had trained countless long hours to keep death at bay, and yet here she was, surrounded by it. Even so, she seemed to slip into the role of a Veiled Mender naturally. Her hands were steady and quick with stitching and bandaging. She also worked exceedingly well under pressure. Yet, deep inside she knew she was saving those who would go on to kill for a cause she did not believe in.

Over time, Jetta struggled less with her skills as a mender and more with identifying as a Black Rabbit. She had to pray to her goddess, Alue, in secret because praying to any god besides Alanna was treasonous. To make matters worse, 'mercy' was not an attribute praised by the Rabbits. She remembered a common prayer that she was taught:

Born of shadows, the light I'll face,

My blade is silent, swift, and sleek,

My dear Alanna, grant me grace,

And I shall slay those I seek,

A prayer that she noted even Elucard would whisper before going out on a mission. She, however, could not stomach such a vile hymn. A deity should not give their blessing for anyone to kill, especially for such nebulous reasons as the Rabbits apparently had. She simply could not fathom such a god.

Jetta whispered a prayer to clear her mind:

Fill the wicked with purity,

Find those who wander in the darkness,

Alue will give the weak security,

And breathe life into the heartless.

"What was that, Jetta?" Inle called to her as he finished scouting up ahead.

"Come on, Inle. Can we avoid any further bloodshed and just get out of here? This place gives me the creeps. I can't help but feel like we're always being watched." Jetta looked around nervously as she pushed ahead, but could see nothing behind the infinite black lurking beyond the trees.

Inle had to admit that the Blood Forest was the most unnatural forest he had ever stepped foot in. The soil was as bathed in blood as the trees were in shadow. He appeared to be comfortable deep within the wretched forest, but in truth, he wanted nothing more than to put the forest's eeriness behind him, "Fine, let's go."

***

Elucard stood high in the branches of the Blood Forest, keeping a watchful eye on a lone assassin stalking Jetta and Inle. With each step that he made, Elucard gripped the handle of his blade even tighter.

"Do not interfere with their test," he murmured to himself. He could sense the tension building within himself and was worried that he would act rashly.

Elucard's eyes darted over his shoulder. A figure emerged from the thick shadows behind him. Elucard loosened his grip, "Master, I was only–"

Legion took Elucard's hand and slowly peeled the blade away, "You were only keeping an eye on your student and your friend. You do not have to explain your actions to me." Legion watched the skulking assassin below and saw that he was quickly drawing closer to the two recruits, "Nevertheless, we shouldn't be here. You know the rules as well as I."

"His name is Keir," Elucard said, brushing off Legion's words, "He's a student of Dest. As you can see he excels in stealth and tracking. He chose not be paired with a veiled mender, and now I see why. It's much easier to stalk alone. He's been following Inle's trail of blood all night." Elucard's eyes dashed wildly through the trees as he tried to keep Jetta and Inle in his line of sight.

Legion frowned slightly as his gaze followed the two students below, "With each kill Inle has exerted more and more energy, and Jetta has apparently opted out of learning basic self defense. Instead she has honed her ability to mend her allies. But if Inle keeps going at this pace…" Legion looked up at Elucard and saw a face that was tight with tension. Elucard's face was hard as stone and a fierce protective anger seethed behind his eyes.

The trio below dashed out of Elucard's line of sight, so he jumped from tree to tree until he was looking down upon them once more. Keir was just upon Inle and Jetta now. Legion landed beside a crouching Elucard. He knew Elucard's thoughts and motives well and he knew that Elucard was fighting a deep, fiery urge to interfere.

"Elucard, you've done all you can for Inle. You've taught him our philosophies and sharpened his skills. Like yourself, Inle must walk the Blood Forest and discover his own way out; and he must do it alone." Legion placed a firm hand on Elucard's shoulder and turned to pull him away, but Elucard did not move.

"Jetta did not have the luxury of our teachings. She's a lone sapling in the storm."

Elucard's words brought about a sudden flood of realization. He was not fighting to suppress his anger. He was fighting to suppress his fear. Fear that Jetta and Inle would not have what it takes to survive the Blood Forest. No – fear that Jetta would not survive.

Legion spoke softly, "If she survives the storm, she'll grow into a tree that can survive any storm afterward. You must trust them, Elucard."

***

"You look tired. Maybe we should rest."

Jetta knew Inle could probably keep this pace going for quite some time, but she was well and truly exhausted, "The forest is silent. I think we're alone," Jetta said, kneeling down to take a swig from her water skin.

Inle crouched beside her, lifting his mask up from his mouth and panting heavily, "Thanks, I could use a few minutes," he lied. He knew she needed a break and that leaving her behind was not an option. Elucard was fond of her and so she was important to him.

Jetta tossed him her water skin, "Keep hydrated. The last thing we need is for you to pass out at the exit."

Inle caught the canteen, but seemed to stare intensely at Jetta. It was unsettling to her.

"Copper for your thoughts?" Jetta asked timidly.

"I heard your prayer a little while ago. It was not a prayer of Alanna. Why do you pray to her? Alue? You alienate yourself from your clan by worshiping a false goddess." Inle pointed at his ear to show that her whispering had failed.

Jetta was silent at first. She did not know what to say. Inle was right. Right that she continued to alienate her peers and 'allies.' They were villainous souls, but wayward nonetheless. They had good intentions, but were steered in the incorrect direction. If they focused their efforts for good, then she could only dream of what they were capable of, "Alue isn't false. She's very real, and if you opened yourself to her, you'd see she has sent me to help you."

Inle smirked, "Well, you can help me by passing me a ration," he said as he lifted the canteen's mouth to his. However, only a droplet fell in. Inle's eyes grew wide when he saw that a shuriken was lodged in its side and that water was pouring from the massive gash it left.

"Get down!" he yelled as a volley of glinting iron shuriken flew in the night and sank deep into his arm.

Jetta dropped to the leafy ground, her hands rising swiftly to protect her head. As more shuriken sliced wildly through the air, Inle flipped backwards, attempting to dodge the flurry of iron. However, his exhausted body moved sluggishly. Several shuriken found their marks in the elf's thigh. Inle crashed and skidded across the moss and fern.

"Inle!" Jetta cried, as she slid to her partner's side. With a volley of shuriken flying by them, her hands dove into her haversack of medical supplies. Grabbing ointments and bandages, she examined the wounds that were in Inle's arm and leg, "Hold still, I'll get you patched up."

"Make it fast. I'll try to deflect any shuriken that I can." Inle raised his blade and prepared to block any incoming attacks.

"I'll try. Keep that left arm and that leg still!"

Inle grimaced as Jetta worked fast dislodging the star shaped metal shards. She slapped a concoction of disinfectant and medicine into the wounds, and wrapped them tightly with linen bandages, "That'll have to do for now. Go, quickly!"

"It'll do fine! Stand back!" Inle winced in pain as he began to gather himself for an attack. He drew his blade and peered into the darkness. If there was ever a time for him to be proud that he was a shadow elf, this was it. Accustomed to dark caves and tunnels, his eyes were likely more suited for low light combat than his opponent. His attacker would not be safe in the shadows for long. Inle scanned the mist of shadows that surrounded them but saw nothing. The assailant was most likely hidden in the tall ferns that overran the forest.

"Come out, I wish to dance with you!"

A long moment passed and nothing happened until the sound of movement stirred in the brush behind Inle.

Keir slowly stepped into the moonlight. His traditional black garbs had tight belts and sashes all around his waist, chest, arms and legs that were packed with foliage, giving him a makeshift camouflage. He looked past Inle and let out a toothy white grin at Jetta.

Inle slowly shook his head, "Pay no mind to the girl. I, Inle Ebonpath, shall be entertaining you tonight." Inle made a gracious bow as if he were back in the circus once more, entertaining a crowded audience.

Keir winked at Jetta and spat, "Let me deal with this clown. Don't go anywhere."

Inle smirked, "Heh, 'clown'." Inle dashed headlong, pulling out a dagger, sending it soaring in front of him whilst wielding his sword in his other hand. Keir quickly equipped a cat claw, deflecting the thrown dagger before clashing with the blade.

Inle parried a slash, spinning around with a slick roundhouse kick that slammed into Keir's jaw. Keir twisted in the air before smashing to the ground. Rolling to his side, Keir nearly missed a driving impalement that instead struck the firm ground.

Keir leaped backwards, landing in a standing position, "You move fast, clown, but I see the night has slowed you down."

Inle was breathing heavily. He did not recover during the little rest he had. He needed to finish this fast. Keir had a point. If they continued this battle much longer, it would not be on equal footing.

Keir unleashed a flurry of shuriken as Inle ran toward him. The elf made his best to avoid the attack with a skillful attempt at deflecting them, but to no avail. Stumbling, he crashed to the ground as a series of shuriken lodged in a tall arc across his chest. He struggled to raise a knee, breathing heavily as the iron stars sent furious tremors of pain scrambling through his body with each breath.

Keir laughed, "Not everyone is cut out for this life, clown."

Inle made an effort to stand, wobbling under the pain, exhaustion, and labored breathing.

Keir took out another shuriken, "You want another go? Fine with me!"

Inle mustered the last of his energy and once again sprinted sword first at Keir. Concentrating on the shuriken's path, Inle lowered his back and neck, deflecting the stars with his armored mask.

Keir gasped at the surprise deflection, as Inle drove his blade deep through his stomach, driving him backwards and pinning him to a tree.

"I guess you weren't cut out for this life," Inle said faintly as he collapsed against the tree just beneath the impaled body, chuckling to himself.

"Inle!" Jetta screamed as she scrambled to his side, "Alanna was with you tonight," she said, attempting to keep Inle in good spirits as she worked to remove the countless shuriken buried deep in his chest as painlessly as possible.

"Lucky me," Inle said, taking off his mask and giving a wry smile.

They smiled at one another and rested beneath Keir's corpse until they were ready to exit the Blood Forest through the clearing ahead.