"AAH", he took in the air, "the land of flesh, blood and bone."
The chaotic rhythm from where he came from died at the back of his mind. The silence in his ears was unnatural and disturbing, questioning for a moment his deafness.
"Sands of time have been cruel... A decade? Century? It matters not."
***
"Most curious," he said, "you offered me your blood, yet our bond is a stranger to you."
He picked up her hand and showed a strange marking on the back of her hand. She gasped and looked up at him with a surprised expression. He showed her a similar mark on his chest.
"This here, my lady, is our pact. For my freedom, I vanquished your enemies,"
It resembled a perfect circle with a pentacle engraved within, and an Egyptian ankh was positioned at its centre.
"All I did was pull the spear," said Kitsune, shaking her head, with a nervous smile, "I didn't free you intentionally."
"I see... It matters not," he said with a gentle smile, "I am now bound to you, my lady."
Kitsune breathed a sigh of relief. She decided to go along. She didn't want to admit but, but his slow, meticulous movements startled her. Then there were the slightly extended sharp canines and his red glowing eyes that seemed to look into her soul.
"Who are you?" she managed to ask.
"I am Cain Philip Joseph, my lady, but please refer to me as Cain? And you, what is thy name?"
"I am Ohashi Kitsune Yatagawa," she said.
"A fox," he said with a mild teasing laugh.
She found herself chuckling too, but quickly hid it. As her eyes met his, she quickly looked away; it was a sort of startle or surprise. Her hand was still on guard, perhaps trying to maintain a bit of decency from her torn shirt.
"Allow me to tie your injuries," he said.
"Okay," she said, "I have two bandages and a disinfectant in my bag over there."
"Perfect."
He rose slowly and walked to the bag. He picked it and scrutinised it for a second, a fascinated look on his face. Even through the beard, she could see his animated eyes.
"He's never seen a bag like that? How old is he?" wondered Kitsune.
"I believe this is it?" he asked.
"Yes," she said.
Back to her. He knelt and pushed back her hair. She noticed the bump on her head. Her skin was pale, and her eyes slightly sunken.
"Please lift your shirt, my lady," he said suddenly.
Kitsune looked up suddenly. Instant karma as she felt a sharp pain in her waist. He held her still.
"Fear not, I was an apothecary," he said.
He pulled her shirt. She shook nervously, forcing a flimsy smile.
"Am—fine... I promise." Her voice shook at the end, and she hated that he'd probably noticed.
He said nothing. Just watched closely. There was a purple bruise on her waist. He touched it, being as gentle as he could.
"Ouch," she flinched.
He looked up with a reassuring smile, "It's not life-threatening, but it seems you need to see a specialist as soon as possible."
"Is it bad?" she asked.
"I believe, an internal bleeding."
"There is a hospital, downhill," she said, trying to stand.
"Please, My Lady, don't move, it will make it worse, I will carry you to this... Hospital facility, you speak of."
***
"Kitsune!" "Kitsune!" "Ohashi!"
Dusk was only moments away, and soon the area would be engulfed in darkness. The search party was growing increasingly desperate as they trudged through the forest with little to show for their efforts. It was as though she had vanished from the face of the earth.
"She said she was going to the altar or something," said Akira, Kitsune's best friend.
"In that case, some of you will double back, and the rest will follow me to check out the area where she is suspected to be," said Mr. Hayato.
The search party split into two, each taking one of the two paths.
Cain looked around the cave, noting the unnatural appearance. His eyes were fixated on the glowing crystals of the stalactites.
"They are not supposed to be here," he thought.
"Bite hard," he advised.
He moved and pressed the bandage on her forehead. The disinfectant stung, but was effective. He wiped her wound with great dexterity.
"Her skin is soft, perhaps?" he wondered.
He felt the fabric of her clothes, soft, well refined. He could not help but wonder which loom made it.
"Use this to cover yourself, my lady," he said, handing her a long, dark trench coat. It was the only cloth that was folded neatly in the coffin.
"Thank you, but please call me Kitsune."
"Okay, Kitsune. You are now secure to be moved."
Without warning, he lifted her in his thin, bony arms, carrying her. She was about to protest, but he would not have it.
He simply said to her, "Allow me to carry you, you have broken bones, and it would be detrimental should your bones pierce your inner organs."
His bare feet dug into the sand as he walked toward the opening used as the entry point. The water was waist-high for him. The distance up was very high, and the cave walls were too steep to climb up.
"The water here is salty," he said.
"Is that bad?"
"No. Most curious, are we close to a sea or an Ocean?"
"Yes, and we are on an Island."
His voice was inscrutable. As if he were showing disinterest in everything he said, making him nearly impossible to figure out. She cast the thoughts aside and remained grateful he was helping.
"Do you have a plan to get out of here?"
"Yes indeed."
"Crackle!" "Crackle!"
The sound of bones reached Kitsune's ears. Startled, she stared at him apprehensively. His nonchalant appearance did not wane.
Woosh!!
Just then, from his back, a pair of large, crow-like black wings stretched. She could feel the wind shift as they straightened. Some worn-out feathers escaped, falling around them like black snow.
"Beautiful," she found herself whispering in her daze.
"Hold on, my lady," he said.
She did.
He jumped suddenly, sending a pulse of shockwave through the water. The water surrounding them scattered, forming a small whirlpool. It was instantaneous, but she was back in the dark cave where it all started.
Before long, they were out of the cave. It was dark, and the sun had just set. Cain set Kitsune down as she inhaled a lungful of air. She was out and alive.
"Finally," she said ecstatically.
She took a moment before her nerves settled and then turned to Cain. His eyes were fixated on the sky. She could not tell his thoughts, but it seemed that he was happy.
"(Philip Sama) Mr. Philip," she called out to him, " what are you planning to do now? Do you have a place to go?"
"(Kitsune Chan) Kitsune, you do not have to worry about me, I will be ok."
"I would like to thank you properly for helping me."
"It is unnecessary, it is part of my pact."
As he spoke, she realised the gnawing unease in her had vanished. There was a strange sense of familiarity and nostalgia.
"May I ask you something, Cain?"
"Please do,"
"Are you... a vampire?" she asked, immediately regretting it.
Cain tilted his head. "You mean like, the bats?"
"No, I mean—uh—bloodsucking, turning people into ghouls, that kind of stuff." She forced a chuckle. "You know what, never mind. Pretend I asked about your zodiac sign instead."
She clutched the coat tighter around her, eyes darting to the shadows. "Idiot," she thought. "You sound like you want to die twice."
"Hmm! I see. I do not turn people into ghouls," he replied and added, "I hear people approaching. They are calling your name." he broke the silence.
"That must be the rescue party. I will be fine once they find me."
"I will leave you in their care then"
"Philip Sama . . . "
"Please, call me Cain Kun (Simply Cain)."
"Alright, Cain. Thanks again,"
"No problem," he said as he took a step back. "When in need, just call my name."
Then, he vanished into the shadow of a tree. His voice seemed to be carried by the wind.
***
In an estate. In the United Kingdom. Several maids and butlers stood side by side, two files facing each other.
At the huge door of the estate, the head maid and butler stared into the sky. She was fairly young, perhaps twenty, with blonde hair and fair skin. He, perhaps older than her, was in his late twenties. But their eyes had a distinct glowing blue.
As a shadowy figure descended, the butler bowed and the maid curtsied. They maintained that position. In suit, the remaining servants followed and in unison, they all greeted him.
"Master! We are glad for your continued good health."
When his feet touched the ground, a choking pressure gripped their throats. It was like a predator standing in front of them.
He moved.
None dared to make eye contact.
As he climbed the short steps, a butler flung a black coat over his shoulder. Soon, he stood in front of the head maid and butler.
"Peter... Gebriel..." He called. "You may look up."
"Yes, your grace," they both replied as they obeyed his command.
"Lord Cain, this is the first time you have gone this long without notifying us somehow. I am afraid I feared for the worst," said Gebriel.
"I have returned," he replied, "come, we have much to do."
"We are at your service, my lord," said Peter.
"Good... First, I want to learn about this new world. Much has changed..."
His face twisted with rage as he pushed the door.
***
In an abandoned church, dimly lit with a handful of candles, there was a girl. She stood at the altar reading a book filled with runes and symbols.
A bloody vision glitched in her mind. A man, fire and bodies. Silent whispers, then...
Nothing.
"Master, you seem agitated," a voice of young boy drew her attention.
She paused. A cold gush of wind shook the candles menacingly.
"Hell... Nothing good has ever escaped the dammed paradise," she thought.
***
"...but the sands of time have failed to heal me."