CHAPTER 1

A Chapter by DSKing

Because I waited for so long, I prayed. In a field full of flowers, under a sky as bright as your eyes. Underneath that tree, I watched the seasons go.

   In that place where I met you, I waited. The place where you said to me 'When I can turn the needles on the clock back to this day, I will never separate from you.'

   Just like you asked, I waited. Because I wanted to see you again. Because I believed what you said.


--------

   "Take my hand."

   It was the first thing she heard. She had just been there, existing for nothing, becoming nothing, for a while. She couldn't remember how long things had been that way. Maybe they always had. Something was different that day though. There seemed to be some kind of silent commotion. She felt uneasy inside, as though something unfamiliar was coming. Then, he appeared.

   'Take my hand'. That was what he has said. Looking up from shadows, into shadows, the girl could make out nothing. There was no shape or form. It was ok though, there never had been.

   She did as he had said. She reached up as far as she could and gave him her hand.

   Slowly, he lifted her out from the darkness, into a place not quite so oppressive. It seemed like it might have been difficult for him to manage. Maybe she weighed a thousand pounds. She wasn't sure, since she couldn't exactly remember what she was.

   "That wasn't too bad." He said with a smile, once she had made it onto the same plane as him. His eyes were two different colors. One was solid black, while the other was pale blue, with only the pupil being black. His hair was mostly yellow, black in places, and his jacket was adorned with many chains and black feathers. Was it strange? She couldn't remember. Maybe everyone looked like this.

   The girl wasn't even sure what she was looking at. Was he the same as her? Were they different somehow? She concentrated really hard, as though the memories still existed somewhere way back in her mind, and she might be able to pull them forth.

   "In this ocean of a hundred million hearts," He proclaimed, raising his hand in the air, and dramatically gesturing to all that was around him. "You're the only one I'll save."

   "Why?" she questioned.

   "Because I love you, so I will protect you."

   "I'm confused. I don't understand."

   "I was just passing by." He explained. "I stopped when I saw you. I could hardly count to three, and my heart fluttered, just slightly."

   "Walking by where?" the girl asked, looking around. As far as her eyes could see, there was nothing. Only below her, was a dark lake of oil. She was standing in it now, but she soon found herself wondering if this lake was what he had saved her from. It was vast, and covered everything. "What do you want from me?"

   "I pulled your soul out from the depths of death so that we could paint a new future together. All I'm asking, is that you entrust your heart to me. We just have to find your body. Hopefully time won't be too much of a factor."

   "My body?" She looked down at herself, but there was no form.

   "Come." He instructed, gesturing with his hand.

   The girl walked with this stranger through the seemingly endless ocean of oil. Only once, did they pass under a bridge. Even with no real source of light, it seemed to sparkle with the iridescence of a million colors. She looked at it, feeling like there was some sort of significance here, yet she could not recognize or understand what this feeling was.

   Shortly after that, they came to what looked like a bank of dirt, and then both climbed up. The stranger turned and looked back out over the scene.

   "What is your name?" the girl questioned, wondering where in her mind the question had come from.

   "Kuixa." He replied. "And you are Celele."

   "I am?"

   "Well that's what I've decided to call you."

   "Oh." She paused, "Where are we going?"

   "Before we go further, I think you need a temporary body. Otherwise, you will turn to vapor when we step foot in the Sky Land."

   "The Sky land? What is that?"

   "Where all life is born. Soon, I will rule it. You too, will rule it with me."

   "What if I don't want to?"

   "What else will you do instead?"

   Celele lowered her head in defeat. There was nothing else that she knew of, and so nothing she could answer.

   "Come. I know a great place for getting bodies." He said with a smirk.

   Because she didn't know the purpose of her existence....Because she would have been lost without him, she followed.

   There was a building with windows, where light poured out, illuminating the darkness like faint flickering candles. Despite this, it still seemed dark and ominous, but Kuixa didn't seem to mind. He led her inside with all the confidence in the world.

   "Kuixa, you're back. Have you taken over the Sky Land yet?" Someone on the left said mockingly, with a chuckle. It seemed to be a gathering spot of some sort. There were all kinds of people drinking and playing strange games she couldn't quite remember. Each one of them looked different. There was no consistency. Kuixa continued to the counter.

   "I need to see Nah-meh" he said once there. The guy behind the counter was a large, surly fellow with tusk like apparatuses that came out from his jaw. His eyes were narrow and intimidating, and his hands were so large they looked like they could crush a skull so effortlessly.

   "He's in the back." The tusk man replied. "You may go through that door."

   Kuixa nodded, and then gestured for the girl to follow after him. Of course, she did. She never thought to question anything.

   The back was filled with cages. The cages were filled with animals of all sorts. There was someone back there, Celele noticed. The figure moved like a shadow as it approached them.

   "Ah Kuixa, my nearly perfect creation. What brings you to me today?"

   "She needs a vessel." He replied, gesturing to the girl beside him. The serpent like shadow swooshed over in front of her, bright red eyes locking into place.

   "Why have you done this?" Nah-Meh hissed. "Why dig this soul out from the deepest depths? You know it is forbidden."

   "You did the same for me."

"You are different."

"Besides," Kuixa continued, disregarding him, "It's already been done. So can you do anything about her state or not?"

   The shadow twisted his head sideways and narrowed his eyes as if taking it as a challenge. He then floated over to one of the many cages. In it was a large black bird, with piercing yellow eyes. It was a raven, perhaps.

   He opened the cage, and grabbed the bird by the feet. It began frantically flapping its large wings. Nah-Meh then moved to one of the larger cages. Inside was a fairly docile mountain goat. One of its horns, she noticed, was broken. He released the animal.

   "This will just take the night." He explained. "If you come back tomorrow, I will have it ready for you."

   Kuixa nodded, and then guided her out the door they had entered.

   "What to do now?" She asked, once they were back in the main room.

   "What do you want to do?"

   She thought about it for a long time.

   "I don't know." She replied finally. "Wait?"

   "I'll just sit down and order something to eat then, yeah?"

   She nodded. They sat down at one of the tables on the far left of the building. There was a window there. When Celele peered out of it, she noticed dark, twisting silhouettes far out in the distance. She stared at it for a long time.

   "What are you thinking about?" Kuixa asked.

   "I don't know." Celele replied. She then pointed outside. "What's that?"

   "It's the forest. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to see it later."

   "Oh." She turned to look at him, and then remembered something." What's protect?" She questioned.

   "It means to keep someone safe."

   "And what is love?"

   "It means you've lost your mind."

   "Oh, I think I lost that too!" She replied, feeling excitement for the first time.

   "Not like that." He replied. "Your mind is gone because you are just a soul. I lost my mind when I saw you."

   "How do you know?"

   "Why else would I save you?" He mumbled.

   "I don't know." She replied, so seriously. She had no concept of sarcasm at all.

   "Don't get too carried away though. My love is no greater than this." He demonstrated the distance with his hands.

   Celele was confused, but the feeling wasn't unfamiliar to her now. It was normal.

   "I want to try it too." She declared.

   "What?"

   "Love. How can I do it?"

   Kuixa looked thoughtful for a moment. He then half stood, leaning in close toward her, and covered her eyes with his hands.

   "What are you doing?" She asked.

   He leaned in as close as he could before taking his hands away. When Celele could see again, she found that she was gazing right into his eyes.

   "I...2...3..." He counted, then leaned back, his expression becoming expectant. "Do you feel any different?"

   Celele contined to stare at him, but no feelings she had were different than the ones before.

   "Nevermind." He dismissed, bringing his hand to his mouth and turning to avoid eye contact with her.

   "What would the two of you like?"

   Celele turned and looked up at the voice that had broken her thoughts. There was someone standing next to their table.

   "Anything." Kuixa replied before Celele could even open her mouth.

   "Some for this abomination as well? Without a body, I doubt she could eat anything."

   "No, don't worry about her."

   "You've gotten yourself into a good mess of trouble this time." The waitress said mockingly.

   "It's fine." He dismissed. "I'll be ruler soon enough anyway."

   She scoffed , and then walked away from them.

   "I can't eat?" Celele questioned.

   "I'm sorry. You can't because you have no form yet."

   The girl couldn't help but feel dissapointed.

   After the food, they waited for a long time. Celele didn't know what to say, and just stared down at the table. Every once in a while, she would glance up at Kuixa. He just stared out the window, his chin resting in his palm as though he were thinking hard about something. Celele wondered what they were doing, but could not find words to express her curiosity. And so she just sat, and waited, and said nothing.

   "Ok. It's morning." Kuixa declared suddenly, straightening.

   Celele looked around. She didn't know exactly what morning meant, but as far as she could see, nothing had changed. Her companion stood, and then walked over to her side of the table and gestured for her to stand up. They went back into the strange room behind the bar counter.

   "Perfect timing....I just finished." Nah-meh hissed, rubbing his hands together sinisterly. "Follow me, my dear." He then disappeared into the shadows that were around them.

   Celele moved forward. She continued until a faint glow intruded her vision. She froze, and gazed at the sight before her. There was a girl there. She looked as though she was standing, but her eyes were closed, and she had no expression. She had two small horns growing from her head. One, she noticed, was broken, just as the goat's had been. Her hair was long, jet black, and straight, her bangs nearly obscuring her eyes completely. There were wings on her back, though no bigger than a raven's, and she was wearing a short dress made entirely from black feathers. Celele's gaze continued down. Her legs, seemed normal, except for the cloven hooves where she had seen others with feet.

   "Is she for me?" Celele questioned.

   "She IS you." Nah-meh replied. "From this moment onward."

   The girl turned toward Kuixa to see his expression, but he did not seem to be paying much attention to her. He was staring intently at the body that had been presented to them. Celele stepped forward hesitantly. If she knew what fear was, she would have known that she was experiencing such a feeling just then. However, unaware of it's warning, she got closer and closer to the dark figure.

   Such an innocent looking face.

   Without realizing it, she lifted her hand and touched her cheek. As soon as she had made contact with the body, a bright light engulfed her. Her vision blurred, and everything turned white.


   It was white....and then blue for a moment. A light, calming shade of blue. It felt familiar. There were spots of white taking over the scene; Spots of white, falling all around her, spots of white, covering her, burying her.

   Celele gasped, and her eyes shot open. Everything felt different. There was pain where there had been none before. There were thoughts, oh so many thoughts, all competing for her attention. She could feel her legs. She tried to move them, but fell flat on the ground. She was hurt, scared, and confused.

   She felt his hands on her shoulders, as though comforting her...as if wiping all the feelings away. Kuixa took hold of her arms, and lifted her back up. He kept his arms around her, supporting her.

   "What is this?" The girl questioned, lifting her finger to show him.

   "Blood." He replied.

   "And what is it that's making this stuff come out from my eyes?" She questioned, lifting the same finger even higher to touch her cheek where tears had rolled down.

   "Pain. Isn't it glorious?"

   "Yes." She replied, not knowing the meaning of his words.

   "And Isn't she beautiful?" Nah-meh interjected, proudly.

   Kuixa looked down at her face as though analyzing it. He stared at her a long time, and something inside her chest fluttered.

   "I guess she's all right." Kuixa replied, shrugging. "Ok, let's go."

   In one swift movement, he picked her up in his arms and turned around.

   "Wait Kuixa....There is something you must know." Nah-meh said, his voice little more than a cryptic whisper.
   He stopped and turned back to face him.

   "She is different from you." Nah-meh explained. "There is a time limit."

   "How long?"

   Nah-meh lifted something, and then held it out for Kuixa. He moved forward and took it. All the while, Celele didn't know what she should be doing, and so she just let him carry her.

   "Where are we going?" Celele questioned. They were travelling through darkness again.

   "To my house to get some supplies, then, to the Sky Land."

   "What is so great about this Sky Land you talk about?"

   "I don't know."

   "Then why do you have such a desire to rule it?"

   "Because I can."

   "Can you?"

   "Do you doubt me?" He questioned, sounding a little shocked.

   "No. I guess not. I don't see why you couldn't."

   "That's what I love about you. So encouraging." He replied with a grin.

   He started to walk a little faster. They didn't have far to go, as it turned out. There was a tiny wooden structure taking form amidst the shadows. Kuixa put her down when they entered. He fumbled around for a moment before a faint light appaeared. Celele looked around the small, one room building.

   "I have read everything about the Sky Land." Kuixa explained, "It's all right there in that book." He pointed to a large tome on the small round table to the left of the door. "That is how I know I can master it."

   Celele watched as Kuixa hurried around the room, gathering things, searching, and throwing all sorts of things on the ground. She tried to move her feet again but instantly tripped. Her hands reacted though, miraculously reaching out to the wall for support.

   'Do not be afraid.' Someone said. 'I am not used to two, but I will do my best to help you.'

   Celele turned her head sideways, and looked around, wondering where the voice had come from. She slowly steadied herself. Then, as if posessed, her legs started to move, almost involuntarily. She wobbled, and her arms shot out for balance. She tripped slightly, but her wings flapped, and she recovered. She moved slowly at first, and then more confidently. She reached out for the table that had been her target, and let herself fall toward it.

   The girl smiled, feeling triumphant. Her hand then moved toward the mysterious book that had caught her attention. She just managed to touch its cover when Kuixa's voice alarmed her.

   "What are you doing?" He demanded. "Don't touch that."

   Celele jumped back, and then lost her balance. She crashed into the shelf behind her, and fell to the ground.

   "Be careful." Kuixa warned, "You must not destroy that body until we find yours."

   Stunned, Celele slowly got back to her feet. Kuixa was putting all kinds of bright shiny rings on his fingers.

   "What do you need those for?" She questioned.

   "When I am ruler, I want to shine brighter than anyone." He said, "I want to be beautiful."
``
   "Beautiful?" Celele repeated the word to herself, wondering what such a powerful sounding word could possibly mean. Nah-meh had said this word about her, too, though Kuixa hadn't agreed with him. She couldn't help but wonder if there was something she was lacking.

   "Do you need to sleep?" Kuixa wondered, gesturing toward his bed. It was in the far left corner of the room. Celele thought for a long time.

   "Maybe." She replied.

   Kuixa sighed and nodded, then led her to the bed. She sat down.

   "What do I do?" She questioned.

   "Lay down."

   Celele let herself fall onto her side. Kuixa also laid down on the bed, then rolled over to face her. She gasped when she found herself staring right into his eyes. They just stared at each other for a long time.

   "Now what?" She questioned.

   "Close your eyes."

   Celele closed them, and then opened them again.

   "Is this sleeping?" She questioned.

   "Keep them closed until morning."

   She nodded her head, and then closed her eyelids as tightly as she could. She was determined not to let them open again. However, only an hour passed before she failed and they flickered. She could still make out Kuixa's face in the darkness. His eyes were closed now. He seemed so different like this, she thought. Brighter, somehow.

   "Hey." She said, "Is it morning now?"

   "Go to sleep." Kuixa grumbled.

   Celele had suffered a sleepless death, and so now the idea of sleep seemed like a myth to her. She didn't know if it was real, or even possible. It definitely wasn't possible for her. She could spend the whole night with her eyes closed and not feel any different, and that's exactly what she did.

   "You're walking too slow." Kuixa was starting to sound increasingly frustrated with her.

   "These legs are strange inventions." She replied.

   Kuixa stopped walking and waited for her to catch up. She could see him reach into his pocket and pull something out and look at it. When she got close to him though, he put it back into his jacket pocket.

   "You did it." He said, once she reached him. "Here's a treat." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small candy and gave it to her, then patted her on the head, ruffling her hair. When she looked up at him, he smiled.

   "Do I eat this?" She questioned. He nodded.

   She lifted it and put it in her mouth, and then swallowed. It hurt as it slid down her throat.

   "You should chew." Kuixa instructed, "And also, you should take the wrapper off next time."

   She nodded as if she understood.

   "Let's keep going then." He said, and walked some more. Celele looked down at her feet determinedly, hoping they would move faster if she was supervising them.

   'I don't like him at all' said a voice.
   'He's not terrible.' replied another.

   Celele looked around her, but there was no one.

   'He treats us like animals' The first voice argued.
   'Then what else should he treat us as?' The second voice responded.
   'He is disrespectful. He does not treat us as an equal.'
   'Because we are not equal'
   'Then what are we, if not equal?'

   "Who is saying that?" Celele questioned aloud.

   'Does she know?' The first voice questioned.
   'I don't know." The second replied.
   'I think she does not.'
   'It seems like she does not.'
   'Should we tell her?'
   'Good question. Should she know?"
   'I think she should.'
   'I think she must.'

   "Know what?" Celele asked.

   'My name is Aitsu. I am a black raven. To you, I lend my eyes and my body.' Said the first voice from inside her mind.

   'My name Kanala, I am a goat with a broken horn. To you, I lend my hooves and my body.' Said the second voice.

   "Where are you?"

   'We are with you.'
   'We are one.'

   "With me...." Celele looked down at her hands as though analyzing them very carefully.

   'I do not think you should trust this guy.' Aitsu said, 'His mind is very dark.'
   'I agree.' Kanala added, 'Let's stay here.'

   "If I stay here, then I won't be with him anymore."

   'Way to state the obvious.'
   'Don't be mean Aitsu, she obviously knows nothing.'
   'In retrosense, I think she knows everything, but understands very little.'
   'The word is retrospect. If you're not careful, you will teach her dumb.'

   "If I am not with him, then what will I be?"

    Alone.

   'Not alone if we are here.'

   "Yes. Alone. That is what I will be." Celele said thoughtfully.

   'Does it matter?'
   'Yes, does it?'
   'If you are not with him, you are alone, but that is not all that you are.'
   'Yes...that's not all.'
   'Because we are with you.'
   'We are one.'

   Celele did not understand anything they were talking about, save for one word. Alone. For some reason, that one word drudged up the most horrible feelings from within her. She had been alone before, and did not wish to be so again. That was the only thing she had ever been sure of.

She quickened her pace to a near run, until she had caught up with Kuixa once more.