Very unedited chapter 4

I can't resist putting these up. lol

4

The demon’s mount howled again.  With each new cry the demon drew nearer to Flit’s position.  Flit glanced at the fallen petal lying at his feet and marched as fast as his back would allow away from it. 

He struggled to keep silent, wincing with each step.  He hurried up a small slope with a stand of trees.  He managed to reach the top and duck into the trees when the demon and its hideous companion emerged out of the forest right where the petal remained.

The demon’s head swiveled back and forth its flaming red eyes scanning the surrounding forest while its mount sniffed the ground all around the wilted petal.  Small dust clouds floated around the beasts head as it huffed with its nose stuck to the ground. 

A small group of armed malos emerged from the village, drawn by the unexplained disturbance.  The held their spears and swords at the read and acted as if they could sense something was amiss but didn’t know what it was.

They can’t see him. He took out the flower to make sure it was safe.  The four remaining petals gave off the soft white light. 

The demon and his ride turned towards to group of malos approaching from the city.  The scaly beast snapped its jaws in their direction.

“I know you are near,” the demon’s deep voice rumbled and the flame danced excitedly across its skin.  “Are these your people?  I know you won’t show yourself, but perhaps I can tempt you out.” The Demon’s voice took on an almost delighted tone.  “I will give you a demonstration of my destructive powers.  Prove to me you are not a coward and show yourself to save your friends.  It’s time I revealed myself to the world.”

The demon leaned low to the side of his mount and slammed the butt of his axe handle against the ground.  There was a flash of red light like a shockwave the race through the forest in all directions away from the spot where his axe handle struck the ground.

The group of malos screamed with fright as they caught sight of the demon and his beast only twenty yards from their position.  What courage they possessed vanished and they turned tail, fleeing back towards the village.

The demon spurred his ride with his heels and the beast exploded forwards with a terrifying roar.  The demon overtook the small group of malos and chopped them in pieces with his massive double-sided axe.  The beast managed to snap up those who avoided the demon’s weapon with his sharp teeth.

            Frightened malos cried and hollered as the Demon turned his wrath onto the camp’s occupants, slicing them up with his axe or letting his beast devour them.  Malos attempted to flee in all direction, but this only excited the demon more.  He ran them down in all directions.

            Flit felt as if someone had grabbed the lower half of his stomach and started to squeeze the contents inside upward into his throat.  His heart ached at the horrific sight.  “Noooooooo,” he screamed with tears welling in his eyes.

            The demon and his ride stopped dead at the sound of Flit’s cry.

            “So you do care,” the demon’s deep voice rumbled.  “But that will not save them.  Show yourself or they will all die.”

            Tears ran down Flit’s cheeks and he glanced down at the flower.  “What good are you, if I can’t save others?”

            “But it can save them,” several female voices spoke inside his ear at once. “Tear off a live petal near the demon.  Yes tear off a petal,” They spoke with a sense of urgency.

            Flit shook his head, wondering if he had imagined the voices.

            “Hurry Flit!”

            Adrenaline flooded through his body, blocking out they pain in his back.  “I’m coming,” he shouted, bolting towards the demon.

            The demon tugged the reins of his mount, spinning him in Flit’s direction.  “Where are you? Show yourself!”

            “I’m c—coming,” Flit stuttered.  With each new stride his fear returned in greater measure and his feet grew heavier.  “I—I’m…”

            The demon’s beast reared up on its hind legs and then began bouncing on its front legs with excitement.  Every time its massive weight hit the ground vibrated from the impact. 

Flit’s heart threw itself against his ribcage. 

            “Closer!” the female voices whispered to him when he drew within a dozen yards.

            Flit’s sprint turned to tiptoeing.  He cautiously put each foot down, trying to avoid making any sound.

            “I grow tired of this game.  I know you are near, but I will resume killing your people down to the last child if you don’t come out of hiding now!”

            When? Flit thought.  His whole body trembled as he inched his way closer to the beast.  He couldn’t bring himself to look directly at the demon or its pet.  He averted his eyes, using his peripheral vision to guide him.

            When Flit was within ten feet of the demon the females spoke into his ear.  “Now!”

            With shaking hands Flit held the flower out in front of him like a shield separating him from his foe.  He tore off one the live petals from the main part of the flower.

            A ball of bright warm light grew from the separated petal.  It rapidly increased in size and intensity.  The demon and its mount wailed as if the light caused them physical pain and flinched away from the rapidly spreading orb.  As the growing light touched the demon and his mount, they started to smoke as it burned their skin.  The demon spurred his ride hard and they sped away from the chasing brilliant rays, howling with rage.

            The light fanned out as far as Flit could see for several minutes and then vanished, leaving him with the live flower and a blackened petal.  He thought about dropping the dead portion on the ground but decided to put it and the live flower in his pocket.

            If the demon can track the dead flower, I don’t want him to come back here. I better find the other petal and move it as well. The pain in Flit’s back returned with the absence of danger to command his attention.  He winced when he started walking back towards the spot where he had dropped the first petal.  The lash marks forced him to move at a somewhat sideways angle to lessen the stinging sensation.

            Malos started to gather around the area of slaughter.  Several began weeping for the loss of their loved ones while many eyed Flit asking what had driven the demon away.

            “Where did that light come from?” some asked.

            “Did Flit have something to do with it?” others questioned. 

            “Did he create the light?” a malo queried causing the others to look and marvel at Flit in a curious manner.

            “Why are we driving him away if he has the power to protect us?” another called as Flit reached to boarder of the camp. 

            Flit glanced back at the gathering crowd and then turned to search for the lost petal.  Hurry!  Find it!  You can’t stay here!  He spun back and forth and made several circles in awkward positions while scanning the ground for the dead portion of the flower.

            A small group of malos headed in Flit’s direction while the rest watched him. 

            “Flit, wait?” the head malo called while waving a hand through the air.

            “Finally,” Flit muttered under his breath upon locating the dead petal.  He gasped as a sharp pain shot through his back while he bent to pick up the object.  When he managed to finally straighten back up, the small group had reached him.  He slipped the petal into his pocket before anyone could notice it.

            “Flit, how did you dispose of those monsters?” The head malo’s eyes were wide with wonder.  He looked Flit up and down as if seeing him for the first time.

            “I didn’t dispose of them.  He is still out there.  And he may be back,” Flit stated.  He took a deep breath and spun on his heel to leave.

            “WAIT!” the head malo almost shouted.  “Still you chased it off with that…light.  How did you create it?  Maybe we were a little hasty.  We,” he motioned towards the group, which consisted of many on the council, “made a mistake.”

            “You whipped me,” Flit said more out of sorrow than anger. 

            “We are very sorry.  We were wrong,” another council member stepped forward.

            Flit peered at all the expectant faces.  He longed to stay with his people, but something deep down told him he needed to go.  He actually found the prospect of leaving as a form of relief, like there was something much more for him waiting out there.  Maybe the creator is right.  There is something I can do.

            “Please stay,” a female councilor said. 

            “I know you can’t understand this now, but I can help you more by leaving,” Flit said.  “I must go.”  His own words surprised him.  He actually wanted to leave.  Even living with the malos he had been on his own, no one liked him.  After Haddar’s minions rounded up his parents for sport in the arena, no one really wanted to take him in.  It was a struggle to survive and take care of your immediate family, let alone add another mouth to feed.

            “Stay.  We will make your life better,” the head malo stated.

            “I can’t protect you from everything out there.  I’m sorry, but I must go.” Flit ignored their requests and promises, heading in the direction of the forest. 

            Several malos followed him until he was almost a quarter mile into the hunted forest before giving up and watching him disappear into the trees.  When Flit noticed he was alone, he angled back towards the edge of the trees away from his camp.  The forest was a dangerous place and the memory of Jett was still fresh in his mind.

            Flit returned to the usual practice of scampering between one group of trees or bushes to the next until he drew within sight of the end of the trees.  Beyond the edge of the forest rolling hills with high grasses extended as far as the eye could see.  Flit knew the area well.  Groups of farmers lived, tucked within the hills trying to raise grain and livestock.  They defended their farms ferociously.  They had to in order to discourage anyone trying to target their goods.

            Flit found a nice grouping of trees and took a rest, trying to decide what he should do.  He sat cross-legged with his back against a tree.  “What am I to do?” he muttered to himself and then the memory of the voices of the female ghosts coming from the flower gave him an idea.

            He took out the flower.  He held it in his hands and stared at its beauty.  What do I ask it?  Will they answer again?  How long do I have with only three petals left?

            “Who are you?” a female voice asked.

            Flit jumped clamping his hands down over the flower.  He turned to see the point of a sword only a foot away from his back.

            “A malo!” An astonishingly pretty xenska stated at the sight of Flit.  “Are you part of a raid,” she demanded stepping so the point of her sword poked Flit.

            “N—no.” Flit couldn’t stop staring at her smooth pail white face with her violet eyes. 

She had long dark wavy hair and stood maybe an inch or two taller than Flit with a thin frame.  She appeared to be close to his age.  Her eyes jumped from Flit to various clumps of trees along the edge of the forest.  “Malos only come into our lands when they want to steal our property.  So what are you doing here?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” Flit lowered his head.

“You’re a liar…and a thief.  Malos never travel alone and they aren’t good for anything but sport in Haddar’s areans.” She jabbed him.

“Hey!” Flit swatted the tip of her blade so it was no longer pointing at him and then rubbed the spot. He already had enough injuries. He lifted his shirt to see a small cut with blood trickling down his side.  “You broke the skin.” Flit slide the flower into his pocket with his other hand and then got to his feet.

The xenska stepped back with a surprised expression.  She kept the sword pointed at Flit. “What happened to your back?”

“Nothing, and I’m not here to steal anything. I’m looking for something. I’ll just move on.” Flit yanked down his shirt and walked past her, heading back into the forest.

“Wait!” she chased after him.  “I didn’t give you permission to leave,” she barked, trying to cut off his place of retreat.  “I’m not alone.  You can’t just walk away.”

Flit didn’t know where he found this new disregard for anyone with a weapon, but it seemed to be growing.  “Look.  I’m alone and I mean you no harm, so I’m going.”

“If you don’t stop, I will call for help,” the xenska demanded raising her voice, causing Flit to stop.

Before Flit could vent his increasing frustration, a strange whistle rang out from two different locations.

The xenska glanced around and then poked Flit in the ribs with the sword while an angry expression painted itself on her face. “I knew you were a liar.” Keeping the sword on him, she seized his arm and spun him around.  She forced Flit into a nearby group of trees.

Flit gasped. “I’m…” Flit started but a harder poke silenced him.

“Shut your mouth,” the xenska ordered, trying to spot any signs of a danger over Flit’s shoulder.

The whistles started again but they took on a different sound.  The pitch was higher and the call longer. 

“Oh no,” the xenska gasped.

“What?” Flit glanced over his shoulder to see the fear in the xenska’s eyes as they jumped around.

“Catchers,” she whispered.

The hair all over Flit’s body rose to attention and a great fear spread through him.  Catchers scoured the land searching for the weak and the helpless to sell into slavery or to the arenas.  To be caught by a catcher was an almost certain death sentence.

“They will probably have kaps with them.” Flit joined the search for a place to hide.

“Kaps?  Where can we hide from them?” the xenska hissed.

“Where is the nearest water source?” Flit demanded.  “Where do you get your water?”

“Why?” The xenska’s eyes reflected fear and panic.

“Kaps can’t smell you in the water,” Flit stated.  He knew from previous encounters with catchers that the only options would be to find a river or lake and hope you could find a reed or hold your breath long enough when the catchers drew near.

“There is a river almost a mile away.” The xenska pointed to the south of them when the grunting and howls of the kaps reached their ears coming from the same direction. 

Several new whistles rang out and then went silent.

“My people are fleeing.” The xenska made like she was going to leave when the voices of the catchers combined with the kaps, stopped her.  “I left my safety to come after you.  Now, I won’t make it back,” she cried.

“We can make it.  I will help you. We are going to have to make a wide circle.” Flit bolted deeper into the haunted forest.  He didn’t know why he offered to aid the xenska.  Usually, races didn’t intermingle unless it was in cites or the arena, but somehow the thought of anyone suffering in the arena pained him.

“Wait,” the xenska cried running after him.  “We can’t go that way.”

Flit had to slow his pace to let her stay with him.  Once again, his need helped him block the wounds on his back. “Circling around them is our best chance.  We would never out run the kaps once they pick up our scent.  If we try to circle through the fields we run the chance of being spotted causing them to give chase before we have time to reach the water or we make them go where no one wants to go.” 

“But aren’t their worse…things…in here?” She panted.

“There are, but right now our biggest threat is the catchers.  I have traveled the forest many times and not encountered anything.”  The memory of Jett caused his insides to squirm at his last statement.  And the demon is still out there. “Just keep your eyes open and your sword ready.”

Flit continued deeper into the forest until he could no longer hear the kaps above his heart pounding in his ears and his heavy breathing.  He slowed to get his bearings and rest a bit.  “We should be able to angle back towards the river from here.”

“You don’t think we could wait it out here?” the xenska glanced around.  “Find a good spot to hide and…”

“Remember what forest this is. We don’t want to stay and there is no guarantee the catchers won’t follow us in.  They have the kaps and weapons for protection.” Flit glanced at the sky and the xenska followed his lead.

“Wow.  You can actually make out the position of the sun today,” the xenska exclaimed.

            “Yeah,” Flit realized it had been that way since he had left the garden.  He chose his line and started marching towards the river.

            “Is it always like that?” the xenska questioned, trying to follow and look at the sun at the same time.

            “Like what?”

            “Can you always see the sun in the forest?” the xenska asked.

            “Just lately.” Flit remembered the clear skies in the garden.

            “I don’t think I’ve seen it that well in well over five or more years, and that was on a very windy day,” she commented.  “How often…”

            Flit spun and thrust a finger to his lips.  “Remember where we are.  Hold the questions for later,” he whispered while glancing around to make his point.

            “Sorry,” she mouthed and pulled a concerned face while following his eyes.

            Flit walked at a brisk pace always using trees and bushes to shield them from as much of the open spaces as possible.  He fought the constant urge to sprint for the river, knowing to do so might expose them to some hidden danger in the forest.  Several times, a strange animal call forced them to take cover and wait.  The only positive was they hadn’t heard any sign of the catchers.

            “I think it’s safe,” Flit whispered after an unusually long wait. 

            “What’s your name?” the xenska whispered before Flit could take off.

            “Ah, Flit.” He felt surprised by the question.  Never had anyone ever asked him that question before.  “What’s yours?”

            “Kerra,” she responded.  “Thank you, Flit.  Thanks for not leaving me.”

            “You’re welcome.” Flit smiled at her and then started forward once more. With the temporary lack of a threat to their safety, the pain in his back returned, forcing him to walk funny.

            “Does it hurt?”

            “Yes.”

            It took them almost an hour until they reached the edge of the forest where they could see the river several hundred yards across the open grasslands.  The closer they drew to the edge of the trees the slower Flit walked.  They used some high bushes to search for danger.

            “I think it’s safe,” Kerra said in a hushed voice.

            “Something doesn’t seem right.” Flit couldn’t see anything but years of trying to move about unseen had taught him valuable lessons.  “Why is there no sound at all?”

            “What?” Kerra shot him a confused look.

            “Usually, no sound at all means something bad is waiting close by.  Birds and small animals are avoiding the area for some reason,” Flit pointed out.

            “Oh. So what do you want to do?” Kerra questioned. 

            Behind them several kaps howled and the shouts of their masters followed.

            “Run!” Flit ordered.

            He and Kerra sprinted out into the high grasses.  They only made it twenty yards when a hidden net controlled by concealed catchers and hinged poles, scooped them up off the ground.  They bumped heads hard and their arms and legs popped out of the holes in the net.