Gairoshi: Grit for Glory

Whoever sent the letter must die.

Carysse gripped the sheathed blade in her hand as she ran past trees and jumped over giant roots.

No one knew the secret location of the remnants of Thalisse other than the remnants themselves. Everyone in the village was close and knew each other very well so they knew that the handwriting also belonged to none of them. 

Go.

Was the only command of the village elder earlier. The old man looked at Carysse with an intense look. She understood.

It was kill or be killed.

The letter that the falcon brought this morning at the entrance of the hidden sanctuary alerted everyone so much that even the children took arms. It was one of the things that she didn't want ever to see again--the hopelessness in the eyes of the future generation.

Though the contents of the letter brought confusion more than killing intentions.

WATERFALL.

The adults tried basking it under the sun, sprinkling flour, scratching it with wild herbs in hopes that maybe it contained a hidden message but to no avail. That was it all. Just one word. But enough to stir the whole village, or rather, what remained of it.

It was Carysse who volunteered to go. Somehow, she felt it was something that she was capable of. 

A perched Sacro, a three-eyed wild dove, the symbol of Thalisse, was disturbed as she grabbed a branch and hauled herself up. The Sacro frantically flew away, dropping two feathers below. That was not a good sign, having encountered that bird. The feathers were blown towards the river beneath her.

There were lots of waterfalls surrounding Thalisse. If the sender of the letter  knew of their secret cove, it is already a given that whoever he/she is, was good in geography of Thalisse. Because there was only one significant waterfall in mind.

Focusing her strength on her legs, Carysse jumped to the other side of the river. She landed and rolled to the right position as she had done this too many times. Carysse then proceeded to run again and sped, adrenaline coursing through her veins. Something was telling her that it might be a trap. But she came here prepared. And if ever she was falling into a trap, it wouldn't matter. 

Trap or no, she just had to do what she needed to do. Survive. As what she and the village had been doing for the past two years.

Finally, the small waterfall came into view and with it, a cloaked figure was waiting. She immediately knew that it was a man because of the build of his body even if he had his hood on. He had his back on her, as if expecting her that she would emerge from the other side where the road was. But she had evaded the road for that very reason.

Carysse didn't hesitate. Even if she was almost out of breath with all her running, a surge of new strength filled her body. She knew her mission. And she will not fail.

The man was quick to react. Her steps must have been louder than she intended to because he turned around just in time--a sword meeting her knife. Carysse aimed for the pressure on his wrist. Their blades kissed and the impact would have shattered Carysse's blade but it was no ordinary knife. Made of Thalisse silver and along with Carysse's strength, it overpowered the ordinary sword.

The sword was thrown to the waters with a silent splash and the man grunted, flexing his left wrist. It must be his dominant arm.

''Whoever you are affiliated to, tell your prince we are not interested,'' Carysse said and pointed her knife at the man. ''Though I suppose you will tell him with your headless body.''

The man flinched and Carysse charged. Since he was facing a grown male, it would be natural for him to fight back. With his sturdy stature, he would not be going down easy, though she was determined. She never underestimated her opponents, even if they were cowards.

But the man was beyond being underestimated.

As she aimed for his eye, he didn't sidestep. He also didn't move. He didn't even make an effort to duck.

His right hand met Carysse's blade and it pierced through the center of his palm, a few centimeters from his eyeball. It made Carysse's world stop.

Now that she was so near to him, the hood had lost its essence.

Her whole being froze, up to her innermost self. His blood eagerly dripped from her knife's hilt and the timing of the droplets splattering on the ground matched her pulse, until it was out of beat, and until she couldn't even breathe.

''Carysse.''

His deep voice made Carysse shut her eyes, something swelling at the back of her eyes and her throat. But then she couldn't contain it. She harshly deepened her knife and he grunted in pain but his hand also didn't falter. Of course he was strong.

Carysse punched him with her free hand and he must have pulled his hand free in the process. She opened her eyes, the tears having been retreated. Pure hatred replaced it.

''What are you doing here, Chaos?''

The name that she had buried deep within her attempted to bring up some memories. Memories of him and her back at the village but what resurfaced was the moonlight shining upon his blade dripping with her blood--the moon as the only witness. 

Chaos didn't answer. Instead, he walked up to Carysse.

''Hate me all you want, Carysse.'' This time, it was Carysse's turn to flinch. She immediately searched for her resolve. The mission--that's right. She had her task. To eliminate anyone who has knowledge of their secret hideout.

''But before you kill me, I have something that is worth extending my life, even if it's just for a while.''

Carysse then stopped her knife from plunging into his body again. He stopped walking when he was near enough to her, his figure towering over her. He still carried the same serious look and much to her annoyance, he was still wearing her necklace.

After a long silence, Carysse finally gave her response.

''Why should I believe you?''

''You don't have to. But let me see the village elder.''

Carysse clenched her fists. He never changes. Still the same prideful boy that she knew.

''You know very well that I can kill you. Watch your words, traitor.''

Chaos attempted to speak but quickly shut his mouth. She knew that she made a hit. And he deserved it.

Carysse pulled a series of clasps linked together that were made of steel--a makeshift chain but it will do. No matter how strong Chaos was, or had become, she trusted her gut's instinct that he wouldn't attempt to escape, sensing his sincerity about talking to the village elder.

Hopefully, he wouldn't let himself loose when they reach the village. But again, she was prepared for what she ought to do if ever Chaos was leading her into a trap.

She will have to spill his blood, traitor style, just as he did to her before.