-Chapter 2-

The luminous sword turned back to normal. The glowing red light that poured out of it’s hilt, circling the blade’s body, faded away slowly. 

   Tran retreated his sword with an earnest expression on his face. He crossed his arms across his chest. The thorny rose still hung from his mouth. He had his eyes closed shut and showed no remorse to the pain of the demon in front of him.

   “You will pay, Tiefling!!!” The dying demon’s voice became only a whisper.

   Without even meeting the demon’s bloody face, Tran spun around. His long shirt that fell on his knees, fluttered with the wind as he turned.

   The thorns dug into his lips; but Tran did not show any concern to that. This rose of his, was extremely precious.

   The storm had finally passed.  Tran sat staring into space on the roof of the top most skyscrapers. He liked that place. The sky was closest there. The bench Tran sat on was wet from the rain. The coldness made Tran shiver. The ‘rose’ was in his pocket this time. It's petals slowly moved with the wind. The wind after rain made Tran feel nostalgic.

   “I wonder why I’m doing this… Is it money? Why am I collecting money by killing these demons? A law of Earth..? It doesn’t seem right… snatching someone’s life because of money… It’s kinda… sad… Can money buy everything?” Tran’s meticulous eyes studied the birds flying around. “No… Money can’t buy you everything… What about happiness? What about love?”

   “Talkin’ to yourself again, brother?” Muri’s voice broke his thoughts. Tran didn’t turn to see her. Instead Muri skipped towards him, herself and stood beside him. Her hands were tied behind her back. She bent and leaned towards Tran's face. She scrutinized his sombre expression, “What’s wrong?”
   Tran  gave a warm smile to his sister, “Nothing…”

   “Liar!” Muri narrowed her eyes, “I overheard you saying something about money or something… Well I don’t think money can buy us everything as well. Money might buy me strawberry ice cream. But it certainly can’t buy me a brother like you!”

   Tran smirked. “So in other words you were eavesdropping”

   “Well... I… Uh… Perhaps...” Muri’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment, “Sorry…”

   Tran  patted Muri on the head and ruffled her golden hair. Then he whispered in low voice, “I don't think anyone is born with a reason to live. It's something you have to find for yourself. And I know why I’m here. I know my reason of existence. It’s to protect the people I love.”

   “Brother,” Muri  said, “When’ll we go back home? You said that I’ve never seen it before… because I was really young when the two of us got separated by our parents…”

   “Soon enough, Muri. Soon enough,” Tran replied, nodding to himself.

   “That soon never comes… It’s getting frustrating. But don’t ya worry brother, I’ll wait! I know you’re a really busy man and all! Hmm… that reminds me.. You never ever mentioned where this ‘home’ of ours is.”

   “Oh... well…” Tran stuttered, “Uh… It’s umm…”

   Muri narrowed her eyes in distrust.

   “It’s near Lithuania in Europe! Yeah that’s it. The name just goes over my head sometimes you see...” He gave an awkward laugh.

“Hmmm… Okay then,” Muri pulled her body up and stood erect, watching the sky as well. She seemed disappointed, “Europe’s not too far, y’know.”

Tran rubbed his head. He kept quiet. After all, he couldn’t argue on that. Europe wasn’t far at all, “I.. Uh.. I’ll take you home someday. And you know that, Muri. So please, don’t be disheartened by my lethargy, okay?”

   Muri smiled and nodded, “Alright. If you say so brother…”

Reviews

[Buni]

Pretty good so far! but just wanted to point out some minor mistakes! really minor actually.
First you forgot to put the 's' in 'It petals' in the 2nd last line of the 6th paragraph.
Also you didnt put '?' here 'When'll we go back home.' and forgot the full stop at the end of this as well 'home of ours is'.
And these two lines dont really look that well together 'The thorny rose still hung from his mouth' and 'The rose, given to him by a friend, hung loosely out of his mouth' change up one of them k?
anyway the story's good till now but its a bit slow y'know.. isnt really catching my attention! put some more action in the start! like maybe a real fight scene!

[Donovan "Grey Wolf" Go..]

I think that your right nobody is born with a reson to live you have to find it.
This book is really, really, Awsome.
I cant believe that I just found out about it now.
Its so cool.
Awsome write.

[Elliot Kyron]

I couldn't help but review because I just adore this line :
"I don't think anyone is born with a reason to live. It's something you have to find for yourself. And I know why I'm here. I know my reason of existence. It's to protect the people I love."
Wow, it really me awe-struck there for some reason.
The truth in those words caught me by surprise!