Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Byari ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

Hey guys! This is the first bit of a new story that I am working on. Its an orginial story. This version is the version I wrote for a short story writing contest at my college. Wish me luck on that! But, I hope you enjoy it and please tell me what you think about it! I love to hear what everyone has to say! Well here it is! Enjoy!

XXXXxxxxXXXxxxXXxxXxXxxXXxxXXXxxxXXXX

 

He sat quietly underneath the large oak tree. The late October sun was beginning to set as his keen eyes focused on the tree line. The breeze was gentle as it swept across his face blowing his dark brown hair into his sea green eyes. His left hand tightened around his long dark bow as he saw a small shift in the green landscape.

 

He slowly stood up, barely making a sound. His movements were fluid, not one gone to waste. His right hand quickly glided back pulling out a long arrow from the quiver and the bright blue feather floated calmly at the end. His fierce eyes focused on the spot of slight brown that froze. Perking its ears, sensing the danger, the large doe did not move for a few moments, as he stood perfectly still waiting for the right moment to set his arrow free from the taut string. Suddenly the doe spooked, and quickly leaped to the side to run away. The only sound was the swish of an arrow as he knocked in towards the fleeing doe, and a loud thumping noise in the distance.

 

A small smirk fell upon the young man's face as he slowly dropped his bow. He quickly threw it over his shoulder as he started to run into the forest line. As he entered the tree line, he slowed down looking for signs indicating which way the doe had run after being hit. He spotted a small, bright red puddle a few feet away from him and quickly made his way towards it. He crouched down, slowly glancing in every direction to spot another bright red puddle. He continued on the trail until he came upon the fallen doe. The young man smiled and he bent down making sure the doe was dead. He then turned his back and whistled loudly into the air.

 

The once quiet forest erupted into sounds of movement and crunching leaves and snapping sticks on the ground as more men walked towards the sound of the whistle. The first man to appear at the sight laughed loudly and gripped the young man's shoulder tightly in congratulations.

 

“You never miss a shot Aiden, amazing,” the older man said as he bent down inspecting the kill. Aiden laughed and leaned against a tree waiting for the rest of their hunting group to show up.

 

“That is the seventh kill today! Leave some for the rest of us,” a young man the same age as Aiden said as he walked up. Aiden glanced over at him, smiled not saying anything.

 

“I would, if any of you could keep up with me,” Aiden said with a cocky smirk. The young man punched Aiden quickly in the arm playfully as he walked pass.

 

“I would be careful Brax, you know Aiden can kick your ass in sparring,” another man said as he walked into the small clearing between trees.

 

Aiden looked up into the treetops as the breeze picked up again. He frowned slightly as he stood up straight. “We should get the doe out of here, we shouldn't stay in the forest too much longer,” he said with warning in his voice. The other men understood with a nod. Three of the older men quickly picked the doe up and the hunting group made their way out of the forest and into the fields where they had made camp.

 

There was a small fire lit in the middle of their camp. The three men that stayed behind to watch over their previous kills surrounded it. They stood happily and greeted their fellow hunters as they entered their camp with three more kills.

 

“I think we have a good haul for the coming winter so far,” Brax said as he sat down by his father. Gavin smiled at his son and nodded his head.

 

“That we do. We would not have so many kills if it wasn't for Aiden's amazing archery skills,” the old man said nodding in approval to Aiden who sat down next to Brax.

 

“Gavin, you give me too much credit. The other men from the village made good kills also,” Aiden said trying to brush aside the compliment.

 

The sun had set and the two moons started to enter the night sky. To the south, the smaller moon rose slowly casting its dim white light across the land; and to the north, the larger moon gave off its bright blue light that grazed across the land mixing with the dim white light. Aiden slowly leaned back against the log staring at the stars. He slowly closed his eyes listening to the night sounds around him.

 

“You know Aiden, its been eight winters since you first arrived at our village,” Gavin said carefully in a quiet tone. “Do you not want to share with us how you came to our village?”

 

Aiden tensed for a few moments without saying anything to the old man. Behind his closed eyes the memories of the first day in the village flashed quickly. He slowly opened his eyes to push away the images and he glanced over at the old man who had taken him into his house. Raised him like his own son. “I don't remember,” Aiden lied softly.

Gavin's face tensed but he did not respond, just looked quietly at the fire. Brax glanced back and forth from his father to his best friend. He sighed than quickly stood up loudly saying, “Come on.” He kicked Aiden's foot, smiling brightly; his deep brown eyes shining excitedly.

 

Aiden glared up at him and did not make a single move. “Come on where…?” Aiden asked.

 

“Just come on,” Brax said as he grabbed his bow, quickly walking away from the camp. “Bring your bow,” he said over his shoulder. Aiden could not help but smile as he watched Brax retreat from the camp's soft glow from the fires. Hunting underneath the moons' light was difficult for most hunters, but not him. He knew exactly what Brax was planning on doing. He quickly grabbed his bow and ambled his way towards Brax's retreating form.

 

Aiden sighed softly to himself as soon as he got far enough away from the rest of the men. Once Gavin had asked him, he did not miss how everyone around them got quiet and stared at him. Waiting for him to tell his story. A young boy walking into a village, at the age of fourteen, covered in blood, and alone was a frightening thought for most people. To see it with a person's own eyes is another issue all together. People were scared of him and feared what he was capable of doing. Aiden frowned deeply as he continued to walk deeper into the forest following Brax.

 

“You know, you could just tell everyone…” Brax's voice spoke softly from the silver darkness. Aiden stood taller as he faced his best friend focusing on the dense forest ahead of them.

 

“I enjoy listening to the rumors that everyone has started, don't you?” Aiden said as he slowly pulled an arrow out.

 

“The one of you being a Byari child born of the devil is my favorite,” Brax said with a laugh. “With those green eyes of yours, people were bound to start talking even if you hadn't showed up in town like you had.” Aiden didn't respond. He knew that his green eyes set him apart from everyone. Green eyes were unheard of, only in myths and legends. Legends that always linked with demons of ancient times, the Byari. Aiden forced back a small smirk and still didn't respond to Bryan's rambling.

 

Aiden froze as his sharp senses heard a very faint shuffle of leaves to his right. He quickly readied his arrow and searched for the rabbit that made the soft sound. Brax froze realizing Aiden had found an animal. Aiden could see clearly into the silver mixture of moonlight as he quickly found the white rabbit and let his arrow fly. Brax shook his head, standing up straight and stretching.

 

“Its amazing how well you see at night, but you missed that shot,” Brax said softly as they both made their way to retrieve the arrow. “You know, Leah has taken a liking to you,” Brax stated trying to get something out of him. Aiden glared over at him, narrowing his eyes, and again didn't comment. Brax laughed softly as they continued deeper into the forest.

 

“Ready?” Brax said with excitement in his voice. Aiden slowly felt a smile appear on his lips. He was ready. He gave a curt nod to Brax, and at that instant both of them flew into the forest each taking a different direction.

 

Aiden quickly dodged between trees and bushes as he made his own path through the dense woodland. The forest was covered in an eerie bluish, silver glow created by the moons light. Aiden took joy in being able to release full force. He was faster than any man in the village, including Brax. As he continued to sprint between large trees, images flashed burning hot before his eyes.

 

He abruptly stopped moving and stood breathing heavily. Small white puffs of hot air floated away from his lips as he tried to focus his eyes on the landscape before him. He shook his head and tried to push the bloodstained memories from his mind. He heard the faint whispers that floated through the silver tint of the forest at night.

 

You know it's not the voice of…her. You watched her get killed remember? he told himself deep in his thoughts.

 

But, you also know something deep down inside too, a deep voice said with in his mind. Aiden's whole body froze and he could not breath. He had heard that voice before. He thought the voice had went away the moment he ran. Than the deep voice laughed menacingly. You honestly think you could get rid of me? I am you.

 

“No! You are not me!” Aiden yelled loudly into the silent forest. The whispers stopped and the voice didn't return. Aiden could move again and he slumped against a near by tree trying to catch his breath. A single owl hoot resonated throughout the forest. He could suddenly see clearly and could make out the trees and bushes before him. He took a deep calmly breath and pushed himself from the tree continuing onward to his destination.

 

He blinked a few times noticing that everything he was looking at was sharper and clearer than it ever was before. He tried to push aside the feeling that something wasn't right as he made his way slowly up the slanted hill that stood at the base of the mountain range. He stopped listening for any hint of Brax. He did not have time to think about what had just happened. He had to locate Brax, before Brax found him.

 

Aiden took caution where he placed his foot, trying not to make a single sound as he weaved between trees. Brax was somewhere near by on the hillside; Aiden could hear him slowly making his way up the hilltop. Aiden, not making a single noise, crouched slightly as he tried to stay hidden behind brush. Aiden fought back a smile as he caught a glance of Brax trying to sneak his way to the top.

 

Aiden very quietly pulled out a blue-feathered arrow from the quiver and placed a knee on the ground for support. He carefully took aim on the tree close to Brax's right shoulder, and shot into the tree. He watched Brax jump from fright and fall back scrambling to get away. Aiden stood up laughing loudly.

 

“I found you! I win!” Aiden yelled towards Brax. As he spoke, the wind picked up suddenly and there was a haunting laugh weaving through the gusts. Aiden froze clenching his jaw as he slowly turned around. He slowly came face to face with the same bright green gaze that he saw every time he saw his reflection.

 

“No, I found you,” the deep threatening voice whispered. Aiden blinked and the dark figure with green eyes was gone. He turned his head to the side to find Brax standing near him, looking like he had seen a ghost.

 

“Are you o-,” Brax started to say but he abruptly stopped as he stared at Aiden. “Your eyes…” he said softly.

 

Aiden quickly closed his eyes and tried to calm down. He took a few deeps breaths. He quickly calmed himself and tried to pull off a smile. “Can't believe you fell for that,” Aiden said without missing a beat as he pushed his bow across his back again. Brax stared at Aiden trying to read his expression. He slowly shook his head trying to focus again.

 

“You idiot! You could have killed me with that shot!” Brax yelled. Aiden forced a fake laugh and shrugged.

 

“Ready to catch dinner?” Aiden asked walking away. Brax studied Aiden, not answering but followed close behind him.

 

 

xXXxxxxXXx

 

 

The pair came back to camp holding two hares each. Brax smiled triumphantly when his father walked over to them. Gavin just laughed and took the hares from the boys to skin them. Gavin gave Aiden an apologetic smile before he turned his back to them and walked farther into the camp. Excitement grew throughout their fellow hunters at the sight of the hares.

 

Brax fell into step beside Aiden. “You know, he is only worried about you. That's why he asks you. You are like his other son,” he said seriously. Aiden still didn't answer him. Brax shook his head and remained silent as they walked to their tent. Aiden sat outside the tent leaning against the tree and stared up at the two moons high in the sky. The moon that rose the north was bigger than the other. Aiden always enjoyed watching the northern moon, rather than the southern moon.

 

“Did you know, that the north moon didn't appear until about three hundred years ago?” Aiden asked calmly. Brax paused what he was doing and glanced up at the moons. “In history it says the world went black in the middle of the day. Like the sun just burnt out. After 23 days passed, the sun rose again. Later that night, its said that two moons rose into the sky, and the new moon shone blue,' ” Aiden continued.

 

“I think you mentioned that before,” Brax said as he continued to unpack his rucksack. “But, isn't that around the time when the Byari were last seen too?”

 

“That's what people say.”

 

“The stories about those monsters are horrendous,” Brax said. “It would have been awesome to see them in battle though. Amazing creatures.” Aiden watched the blue moon silently. “Where did you learn all of that stuff?” Brax asked.

 

Aiden shrugged it off quickly and bluntly lied, “I don't remember.” There was a short silence as Brax thought over what he wanted to say.

 

“When I walked over to you, you know your eyes were glowing,” he said carefully. Brax slowly glimpsed at Aiden and knew that he wouldn't answer.

 

Aiden stole a glance at Brax, looking at him like was crazy. “You were just seeing things. It must have been from the shadows or the moonlight,” Aiden said as he slowly looked back up into the sky. Brax stared at his friend trying to decide if he was lying or not. He had learned early on, that with Aiden, you could not get him to talk about anything unless he wanted to tell someone something.

 

“With all of the kills we made so far, we won't have to stay out here for much longer. The village will be able to last out the winter without any problems this year,” Brax said trying to change the subject.

“It's been a good year,” Aiden said in a monotone voice, not interested in talking. His eyes flashed to a few figures walking over towards him. Aiden slowly stood up holding back a slight frown that shadowed over his features.

 

“Aiden, we need a word with you,” one of the taller more muscular men stated with a slight grim tone. Aiden's eyebrows lifted in surprise and gave a short nod before following behind them. He did not miss the fact that the man had not looked him in the eyes as he spoke. No one could look him straightforward in the eyes when they spoke to him. They were too afraid of the deep green sea they would see. Afraid they would lose themselves in the gossip they created.

 

Once they reached the outskirts of the camp, the large man stopped. “What did you need to talk about Darius?” Aiden asked casually.

 

“While everyone was out hunting today, a man stopped by the camp asking for you,” Darius started to say. His words stung Aiden, getting his attention. “He had stopped by the village asking around for you, and he found you here,” Darius continued.

 

“What did you tell him?” Aiden asked quietly. The other men looked from one another. Waiting for Darius to continue. The other men agitated Aiden. No one could come up to him one on one, too many people were afraid.

 

“Told him that you wouldn't be back for a couple days. Told him you were hunting large game in the foothills,” Darius quickly said. Aiden nodded as he thanked Darius and walked back over to his tent. “He had the same green eyes as you!” Darius called after him. Aiden tired to ignore him.

 

“What was that about?” Brax asked as he walked passed into the tent. Aiden did not answer as he quickly entered their tent and sat down remaining silent. Brax stood at the tent's entrance watching him carefully. “Everything alright?”

 

 

“Everything is fine, you should get some rest. We leave in the morning to go back to the village,” Aiden said quietly as he started to get ready himself for sleep.

 

 

xXXxxxxXXx

 

 

Aiden jerked awake quickly and sat up looking around the small tent for any signs of danger. He placed his head into his hands. He could hear the whispers in the wind again. This time the voice was not so sweet and gentle, but a strong commanding voice. He knew he would not be able to deny the whispers and voices that called out to him.

 

I told you that you wouldn't be able to run from us forever, the voice said softly in the back of Aiden's mind. You can't run from whom you are. The past will always catch up to you. It's walking up the dirt path, right now you know.

 

Aiden took a slow calming breath as he listened to the voice. I know what you are, Aiden said to the voice.

 

Oh? Who am I? Who are you? the voice questioned. Aiden fisted his hair tightly in his hands attempting to push the voice out of his mind, but failed. Aiden knew what he was; he did not need the voice deep in his mind telling him. You don't want to answer me? You are a Byari, nature calls to you.

 

No! You're the Byari, I am the human, Aiden told the voice strongly repeating the words his mother softly spoke to him the night she was murdered. The voice laughed inside of his mind, resonating through Aiden's whole body. He could feel his eyes burning as the voice grew stronger.

 

Do not fool yourself. We are a Byari.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1