SERA

“Who are you?” The person in front of her was strange, Sera thought. She had not seen someone like him before with his black scales and swaying tail. His golden eyes captured her like firefly inevitably caught in dusk’s light. He did not answer her question, only continuing to stare at her with the same faint confusion she felt. “How pretty,” Sera says as her hand reaches out and feels his tail with an accompanying giggle. “Your scales are so soft.” Her eyes turn back to stare up at his. As she speaks her voice catches on a few words while she sorts out the polite speech her mother had taught her. ”My name’s Sera. What’s yours?”

Though the confusion clears in his eyes, he only continues to stare back at her. Sera pouts. “Name. NAME.” She emphasises as she points at herself. “Sera.” Then she points at him. Back and forth she repeats herself until she’s sure he understands her with a firm nod. He gazes at her in return and speaks, in rough and broken language.

“Se. Re.” He says, his voice both strange and grating in its unfamiliarity.

“Good enough,” Sera smirks, deciding not to sweat the small details. Before she can speak any further she feels a hand roughly grab at her along with a sharp voice.

“Sera Von Gold, what on earth do you think you’re doing?!” She turns to see her mother staring down at her furiously, her face set in a tense mask.

“It hurts mum,” Sera cries as she clutches at her arm.

“As it should,” her mum answers, dragging her away before she can say another word. “Don’t talk to that - thing - again do you hear me? Nothing good will come from associating with him. Now come, I have someone to introduce you to.” Sera’s cries could no longer be heard as the two fade away into the distance. The boy with the golden eyes simply watches as they leave, no emotion passing over his face. He, too, feels a hand clutch onto his arm. Only much tighter, and with far less care.

“Boy, let’s have another chat shall we?” A cold voice seeps into him. “A very long chat.”

“Sera,” Gray’s voice calls out, breaking her from the old memory. She did not know when her mind had drifted to that memory, but it left a distinct distaste in her mouth. With a sigh she turns to face him.

“Yes?” She answers curtly.

“What the hell is that?” Gray stares out at the sky behind her, his eyes going wide at the clouds.

“Our new reality.” Sera looks out, too, one final time. Her eyes threaten to mist up but she forces it down, clenching her fists tightly. “What do you want?”

“I wanted to tell you a chance of plans,” Gray says after gathering himself. His eyes narrow as he looks at her. “You were a little too eager to fight, Sera. It made me realise a few things. I think we should be fighting together, don’t you? Of course with you as the vanguard. As for me? Well. How about I just help you by dealing the finishing blow?”

Sera’s hands clench tighter at his words before loosening. “Okay.” She says simply, ignoring his self-satisfied smirk. “I’m going to try something now. If you want to come, then follow. And that Ferrakin, what was his name?”

“Vaun,” Gray answers.

“Yes him. Vaun!” Sera calls out, getting a rushed response as he flies out to greet her in a fluster. “You will be coming with us, just stay back. Point out what you see is alive okay?” Sera says as she points toward one of the pathways covered by a heavy thicket of flora.

“Well…” Vaun hesitates as he looks at her.

“What is it?” Sera says tersely. “Don’t think about backing down now. None of us have the luxury.”

“I’m sorry Sera,” he says softly, shrinking into himself. “I don’t know if my ability is broken. But when I look at that place…everything is alive…”

“Everything?” Sera blanches as she turns to stare at the thicket. “The vines? The moss? All of it?”

“Everything.” Vaun says as he looks over at it, his eyes full of fear. “It’s all jumbled but everything I can see is alive except for the wood it rests on. I…I really don’t think my ability is wrong.”

“It might not be,” Sera answers with a frown. Ignoring the two of them she proceeds forward and stands in front of the covered entrance. Her eyes watches it for any movement but it stays as still as it has always appeared. Before anyone can react Sera flashes forward and her fist pierces directly through the thickets covering. She feels her hand going through the mess of vines as an icky purple goo splatters over her hands. Contrary to her expectation they don’t recoil nor attack, but simply recede to allow her further access. She finds herself quickly sinking in and immediately forces herself backward, quickly escaping from its clutches.

Slightly out of breath she watches as the injured vines disappear and new ones take their place. “Well this is bad.” Sera states matter-of-factly. “Give me some time and I’ll do some testing-”

“No.” Sera hears Gray answer, her mouth twisting down at his words. She knew what was coming next. “Don’t you still have that?”

“You know it’s not something to randomly use,” Sera says calmly. “What if we face something stronger after making it through this?”

Gray lets out a loud laugh, his following words piercing into her. “I didn’t know the one blessed by that broken tree would be such a coward. But it figures. Your so called Deity was also so worthless. This isn’t up for debate. Use it. If there’s something stronger, well, I’ll just have to thank you ahead of time for your sacrifice.” Sera’s face threatens to twist further as her eyes grow cold and menacing. She stifles the growl threatening to escape her mouth and forces herself to calm down.

“Very well,” Sera says coldly as she turns to face forward. Her eyes close and her breathing grows calm. Her surroundings slowly fall away as she centers herself on her heart beat. With each beat her mind grows more tranquil until it becomes completely clean of any distracting thought. In this state she draws into herself and grasps on that illusionary feeling. Ever since she gained the blessing she’s felt this new strength inside of her. But she’s never been able to touch on it, to feel and understand it. She can only draw on that illusionary feeling to activate the gift given to her. This strange bloodline.

The air explodes outward around her, sending both Vaun and Gray flying back. The two watch as her bright red fur shimmers and changes into a deep silver color. Sera’s eyes snap open and silver iris’s can be seen peering back. With a low roar she disappears from the spot, instantly making it to the vines as she sends out a heavy punch. The vines in her path become obliterated as her punch continues on, creating a gaping opening inside the thicket. She continues to send more fists forward as she widens the opening, walking further into the ensuing darkness.

The two follow behind her carefully as they make sure the vines don’t close back behind her. But for whatever reason, whether it’s fear or being unable to, they simply recede further. Sera finds herself breaking through area after area of the thick foliage until finally her hands pierce through another meter and exits out to empty air. With a flash she is out of the thicket and finds herself inside a large room. Her eyes dart around and spot a number of those leopards she had fought earlier, with a bigger one in the middle.

Camouflaged Leopard

[ Origin ]

Before they have a chance to react she disappears from the spot and appears in front of them. Her hands no longer bother to curl into a fist as her hands pierce through them with her hardened nails. In an instant the leopards surrounding the bigger one are gone. The bigger one of the lot reacts quickly and fades out of sight. Sera’s eyes follow it even as it’s invisible. Her sight sees the body full of energy and life as she follows its movement. Then she pounces and her hands grab it from the air and tears it into two.

Vaun and gray both arrive at this moment. Their eyes fill with fear as they see her bloodied fur, her hands still dripping from the killing. After confirming they’re all dead Sera sighs with relief and lets herself collapse, the silver color receding from her fur and eyes until she returns to normal. As the strength disappears Sera feels the after effects. The inside of her body feels as if it’s torn in two. She can no longer move, not even to turn her eyes. Her body simply cannot handle the strength. As she lay there quietly, straining to breathe, she could feel that same strange energy exit from some of the leopards and enter her body. It felt…good.

“Hey,” an angry voice echoes out from the side, but Sera can no longer move. Only able to lay there. “Hey you fucking bitch.” The voice repeats. Suddenly a hand grabs at Sera’s fur, yanking her head up. Sera finds herself staring up at Gray’s angry eyes. “What did I just fucking say? I get the last blow. You. Fuck. Did. Not. Listen. To. A. Word. I. Said.” With each emphasis his foot kicks into her, driving her into further pain. Sera simply lays there, unable to even voice a response. Her eyes cold as she feels every kick.

“Enough!” Vaun cries out as he drags Gray off her. “What is your problem? This…this is too far!” He cries out, his hands shaking in fear as he looks at Gray. Gray simply shakes him off and dusts down his clothes, giving him a cold stare.

“You should know your place Vaun,” Gray says as he turns to give one last glare at Sera. “I think you’ve misunderstood our relationship. Sera is my property. I own her. What I do with my property is my problem. And you? You’re a nobody born from a nobody. It isn’t your place to tell your better what he can do.” The words cut into Vaun deep, making him clench his hands tight. His eyes shut tight as he struggles for breath.

“Things are not the same Gray. You can’t just throw your social class around and expect to get away with it. Besides, as far as I’m aware you never owned her. You were only engaged to her.”

“What’s the difference?” Gray quips, his eyes growing colder. “What are you suddenly growing a conscience? Don’t forget you were the same as everyone else when you beat her down. She’s nothing but a sympathiser for that scum. What respect does she deserve?”

“This is different!” Vaun cries out, only to have Gray slam his fist into Vaun’s face in response. However contrary to expectation Vaun doesn’t fall. His face is slightly bloody but he still stares forward, his own eyes piercing into Gray’s. “Stop.”

“Damn overgrown apes,” Gray curses, being reminded once again why no-one likes dealing with the Ferrakin. “Fine.” With another curse he turns away and heads toward the leopards. “I’m going to see if there’s anything useful. You can deal with her.” Vaun ignores him and gently reaches down and picks Sera up.

“I’m sorry,” he says. He hesitates for a moment before finally sighing. “For everything.” He takes her over to one of the sides and lays her down gently, resting her against the thicket wall. Vaun rips off some of his own clothing and carefully bandages some of her worst wounds. After cleaning her body as much as he can he turns to back to Gray. “We shuld head back. This was a bad idea. We have no idea what’s ahead.”

“Hm? Oh. Sure.” A distracted Gray answers. Vaun’s eyes narrow a little.

“Are you okay?” Vaun asks.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” Gray answers as he turns back to face them. With a soft hum he almost bounces as he walks past them. “You’re right. Why don’t we head back.” Vaun watches as he leaves. He turns and walks over to where Gray was. He fails to find anything, but notices something strange. In a small corner is a space free of any debris shaped like a perfect rectangle. Confused Vaun leans over and peers down at it. No matter how he looks at it, it seemed there was something there. With unsure eyes he turns back and picks up Sera who had already fallen unconscious, bringing her back along the same path Gray went.

It doesn’t take long for him to exit the thicket. By the time he enters the house he notices Gray has taken the other two to the side and is whispering something them. He catches a furtive glance sent his way. His eyes fill with worry as he looks down at the unconscious Sera. He hesitates on the step of the door before finally deciding to turn around and leave. Unfortunately he was too late. Two pairs of hands bar his way forward, with a voice behind him calling out.

“Where are you going Vaun?” Gray asks, his tone almost cheery.

“I thought she would rest better out in the fresh air,” Vaun answers curtly, his body tensing. He positions Sera away from them as he eyes them warily. “Is that a problem?”

“No of course not,” Gray says with a smile, his eyes glinting with a dangerously possessive light. “Just make sure you don’t stray too far.”

“Sure.” The two hands disappear from his view and he walks forward and exits the house. The three people behind them shoot each other a knowing glance before returning to the house to continue their furtive whispering. Vaun places Sera beside the small moat of water and uses some of it to wash her injuries. As he cleans her his thoughts drift to their strange behavior. He had never been good with the subtle emotions people displayed. Vaun always found it easier to look at things in two colours. But everyone had to mix the ink until it became too many shades for him to understand. Why couldn’t people not just be direct? It’s question Vaun knows has no answer. “Wake up soon Sera,” Vaun whispers.

Time drifts by. Soon half a day passes and Vaun ends up nodding off, the long day taking its toll on him. As he drifts off to sleep Gray silently exits the house and walks over to them, towering over her. The nearby light shines over his sinister face, twisted into a concoction of desire and greed. His hand reaches down and touches her face. As it does a small spark occurs and something passes from Gray to Sera, sinking into her body. She squirms at the feeling, her face scrunching up as something strange fixes itself onto her.

Gray can feel it as it weaves itself further into her mind, the connection slowly forming. His mouth widens further as he almost can’t prevent himself from cackling in laughter. If such an easy method had been available from the start, why would he ever go through all that effort? However his celebration was premature. Before he has a chance to react Sera’s eyes suddenly snap open with a silver glow. The connection that had been so close to forming snaps apart as the thing he had placed inside her disintegrated.

Sera’s hand whips up and clutches at his throat, her body rising along with his as he splutters in front of her. The grip slowly tightens as Sera’s impassive eyes stare into his own. As the light starts to die out of his eyes Sera finally releases a breath she had been holding in and lets him go, some regret filling her as she watches him gather himself back together. He simply laughs and splutters as he stares at her with a twisted grin. Suddenly he springs back up and punches her in the face. Sera simply lets him, feeling a fresh cut bleed down her face. Her eyes coldly look on.

“You fucking bitch. It’s that goddamn blessing again.” His face twists even further as slams into her face again, receiving that same cold stare back.

“What are you doing?!” Vaun cries out, his eyes widening as he realises what’s happening around him. “She just recovered-” Before he can continue the other two guys grab hold of him, keeping Vaun in check. Gray’s face twists further as a maniacal grin grows on it. His eyes peer into hers.

“Of course you won’t kill me. I hold the life of your precious little lover in my hands,” Gray spits out, causing Vaun’s eyes to widen. Gray walks even closer to Sera as his eyes trail across her body. “Maybe I should have a taste now.” He says as he licks his lips. His hand slowly reaches toward her breast but she only looks at him, her eyes growing colder still. Gray continues to laugh as his hand suddenly whips out toward her. But his cries, and hand, are cut short by a resounding slap.

A suffocating silence fills the air. Gray collapses on the ground, clutching his face in pain, as he stares up at Sera in shock. “You. Don’t think I won’t do it!” He suddenly screams.

Sera stares back at him. Sera leans down and looks directly in his eyes and speaks in the calmest, and scariest, voice Gray has ever heard. “Then he will die. And after he dies I will kill you. I will rip you apart inch by inch, as slowly and painfully as I can. Then I will join him.” Gray stares into her eyes and was sure that she spoke true. What made him hate her more was the indescribably fear he felt boiling inside himself. But Gray could only continue to stare up at her, his body having grown weak and his voice having been lost.

Seeing him no longer able to move Sera stands back up and gazes over at the two humans holding Vaun. The two guys quickly step back and release Vaun, a chill filling their bodies. Sera turns her eyes to the look at the night sky. Her gaze drifts sadly for a moment before growing firm again. “You three can stay in the house. Vaun and I will sleep out here. Tomorrow we will decide what to do next.” The two guys near Vaun vigorously shake their head and scramble to pick up Gray, scurrying back inside the house.

After seeing them gone Sera falls back onto the ground, her exhaustion setting back in. Vaun moves by her side and looks at her sadly. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I knew. They always implied it. But it seemed so far from me…there is no excuse.” He looks back at the house, frustrating filling his eyes. “I understand them acting that way to him, but to you as well-”

“Raze,” Sera says, causing him to pause.

“Sorry?” he says.

“His name is Raze,” Sera says softly as she lies on her back and stare up at the stars that now seem so close. Vaun watches her quietly for a moment before sighing and moving to the side, finding his own place to fall back to sleep. Sera continues to stare up at the night sky and thinks of him.

I’m waiting Raze. Waiting to feel that connection break. And then…her eyes settle into a hard edge. Then I no longer need to wait.