The First Phase: Chapter 15

And then is heard no more.

          Veann’s read out the poem last year. He likes it very much. He used to recite it zealously. He was fascinated by the struggles and the incredible feats mankind can achieve in the limited time they had in the world. He claimed that men ambition lead them to live admirably within their brief time. It was odd that I can recall this piece of trivial memory at that moment. I was never one that paid any attention to Veann lectures, especially if it had anything to do with marveling over humans. Yet Veann could not stop himself from loving these short-lived creatures. As someone who should have live a longer life, he should consider himself better than the lowlife race.

The First Phase: Chapter 14

Take me with you. Take me with you.

          I woke up with a startle. I was certain that I was dreaming. I couldn’t tell whether it was a good dream, or if it was a nightmare instead. I can only remember that one sentence repeat itself over and over, but each time I tried, the tone sounded different. In the end, I decided to ignore the dream altogether.

          That evening, Veann dressed me in another white garment. When he left at my father’s call, I rebelled the choice of clothes by wearing the sort of plain clothes Tazia loves to wear. I didn’t particularly like Tazia’s outfit, but as I rummaged through her closet that evening, I decided to wear them for the sake of offending everyone. I threw the white outfit to the floor and put on an ugly wordy t-shirt and my sister’s dark blue jeans. Still unsatisfied, I went to Firann’s room and stole his supposedly prized black hat he’d never wear. Then I waited for Veann.

The First Phase: Chapter 13

“Check our mountain borders. Dispose of those that crosses it,” ordered Kuran on one of our catch-up session.

          Dispose. He’s telling me to get rid of anyone entering our territory. This pathetic being who’s been pretending to be so good to the humans. He knew the mountain border was where I patrolled. I’m guessing he knew of Veann’s attachment to one of the village.

“It has always been to dispose of hunters, and trick the others from entering. Why the sudden change of heart?” I challenged.

“Are you questioning me?” he asked softly.

“I asked a question,” I replied, unsure if he was amused or irritated.

“Well,” he said as walks toward the door. 

          Turning the knob, he continued, “Hearts can change. It’s difficult to have it stay at a place. I guess the word loyalty was invented to counter the problem with hearts.”

The First Phase: Chapter 12

“Why on the moon’s name did you drench yourself in the lake?” asked Siena.

           Upon arriving to my family’s territory, Veann lead me to the lake, change my robes and left me to soak myself under the moonlight as he rid of the red stained dress. The lake was one of the oldest, and coldest area of our land. We Kuroli doesn’t change many things from the olden days. Be it the mansion, or the grand cottages our nobles live in, none of those was built new unless it was devastating in usage. 

The First Phase: Chapter 11

It was as Veann predicted. The city was quiet. The streetlights paved the ways but no moving shadows passed by our sight. I doubt Veann felt the pride of being right, but I strut the city nonetheless. If he have even the slightest attempt at such thoughts, I would lose my place as the master. This part of the city is walked by our kind almost every night, yet at a duration Kuran declared forbidden, no one would dare come. 

            The younger of our kind would be at the academy, listening to Kuran approved material, preached by Kuran approved educator. The adults, or more specifically, the ones that Kuran deemed to be appropriate enough to graduate from the academy would be barricading themselves in their homes or whichever else location they like planning their business, the growth of their wealth and power, or like what the Daems and my family did, create contacts. In a few hours, they will work these streets until dawn.