Do You See Them
By raob9 - silver member
Submitted on May 23, 2025
Chapter One
Aerith sighed, and dusted some dirt off of her scaled clothing. It would be a long time before the scouts would go look for another giant insect. She involuntarily shuddered at the thought of meeting one. The insects were two times as high as a standard man in the community, and four times as long. They were something to be feared. And yet, her community needed them. Without the insects, they would never have been able to create the scaly clothing that she wore. Without the insects, they never would have the materials they needed for cups, bowls, and weapons. She had grown up with the insects, and couldn’t imagine a life without them.
A rhythmic soft tapping came at the cave entrance. She sighed, and stood up, brushing her hair out of her eyes. Most of the community had light brown hair and eyes, but her hair was a shiny pitch-black, and her eyes were dark, like a starless night. According to the rest of the community, they were piercing, which might explain why nobody ever met her eyes. Ever since the first insect attack, her community, and she was sure others, had dug tunnels in the ground, with caves at the end of each tunnel. It was too risky being out in the open. But sometimes it was needed, and unavoidable.
Aerith pulled her weapon from where it was resting against the wall. It was a bow and a set of dark, gray arrows, with purple feathers - she had used the brightest color she could find for them. Before the insects came, Aerith had been told about a wonderful world, with machines that shot fire, and greenery - not like the treacherous brown vines in the woodlands, but true, friendly plants that people nurtured, and cared for. That was an idea beyond what she could understand. Aerith sighed, and dismissed the thought, padding silently towards the entrance of her underground cave. She was met with a shower of dirt, and after it cleared, she stepped out of her room. She quickly arrived at the main tunnel, and scaled the ladder. She lifted the trapdoor, and peaked out of the main entrance, searching for any signs of danger, but she was met with the same disappointing landscape as always; brown soil, with large cacti and dry, dead shrubs scattered over the landscape. Her father had taught her to check for danger since the first time she had left the caves. It would be an amateur mistake not to check before leaving. She made sure to look above, where insects sometimes would sometimes hover. The sky was clear, perfect for a day of scavenging. Aerith’s mother had always said that Aerith’s eyes were perfect for this kind of work. It was true. It was rare that Aerith miss something, such as a rabbit, or frogs.
Frogs lived in the sticky marshes of the woodlands. Even a frog would be a find. There were less and less freshwater areas, most of the earth being dry. Only the woodlands had truly “fresh” water, and nobody dared venture there. Besides, even the woodlands didn’t always have clean water. But Aerith knew that the woodlands were essential for survival. Her family didn’t know that she went there, and it was a good thing that they didn’t. If they did, then she would never be allowed hunting again. And yet, it was becoming harder and harder to keep it a secret. Her family always wondered how she came back each day with food. It was increasingly harder to find food outside of the woodlands. And the woodlands were dangerous. Her grandfather had died there, and so had most of the community. They had been reported missing, and never came back.
Still, if they were to survive, she had to take risks.
Aerith cocked an arrow to her bow string, scanning the horizon once again for insects. There was none in sight, but although she could see none, a stabbing feeling in her chest made her uneasy. Normally she would see at least one insect in the distance. She clambered out of the tunnel, and began to walk across the barren landscape. She turned her senses to the area around her, trying to hear the slightest sound. She could distantly hear the sound of droning, but dismissed it quickly, focusing instead on the hunt. She hadn’t yet arrived in the woodlands, but she knew from experience that it never hurt to look around. The droning sound became louder, as if it was nearing her. A flash of movement ahead of her distracted her from the sound once again. The shrub to her right rocked - if she was lucky, it would be a rabbit. In the back of her mind, she could tell that a shadow had moved over her, but she paid no attention to it. She would have to focus on it later. She readied her bow and arrow, but just as she let it off, something thick, and slimy touched her. She screamed, and jumped away from it, turning in midair to see what it was. It was an insect. She’d never seen one close up before. Swamp water covered its scales, and yet they still shone, giving a sort of red glow. Their teeth were thick, and yet upon closer inspection, they seemed clean. Two smaller teeth clinked together, and suddenly her mind was whirling. She grabbed onto a nearby rock to steady herself, and slowly stood up. The insect had stepped back, and something flashed on its red eyes - a sort of recognition. It bowed its huge head, dropping a thin scroll from its horns. Aerith took a moment to notice the horns. They were silver, without a trace of dirt. Before she could observe more, the insect disappeared, leaving no sign it had been there except for the massive footprints it had left.
It was a smooth stone, and it was clear, with a swirling blue and white mist inside. Aerith glanced around, and slipped it into her pouch, and picked up the dusty form of the rabbit she’d caught. She did not care that it was dusty; the community would be grateful for something as small as a lizard. The sun was beating down on her, but she dismissed the idea of hunting more. She could hunt more in the evening, when the sun was not beating down on her.
She spotted a figure ahead of her, re-entering the tunnels. She ran faster to the village, glad to have finished the morning hunting, and escaped with her life. Now she would make weapons for the rest of the day, until the evening.
She slid through the entrance to the food store, alighting nimbly on the dirt floor, and laid her rabbit on the smooth rocks that had been layed on the floor. The guardian nodded her thanks, and Aerith clambered out of the tunnel, and entered her family’s tunnel system. She hurried along the passages, and arrived at her room. She slid the room closed with a large, thin rock. Aerith reached for her sword, but realized that she had dropped it when the insect attacked her. She sighed, and hung up her bow and arrows. She would have to retrieve it before she could finish sculpting her arrowhead.
Aerith glanced at her half-finished arrow on her table. It was crooked. Aerith suddenly remembered the stone in her pouch, and touched her pouch quickly. She was met with a near-iced pouch, and she quickly pulled out the stone, and looked at it, rubbing her fingers over the stone. The day was hot – that was no surprise – and she could do with some cooling down.
Then she heard the screams. Loud, high-pitched screaming, as if the world was ending. Aerith dropped the stone, and the screams stopped immediately. She pulled open the rock door, and poked her head out, but it seemed that nobody had heard anything. Aerith returned to her room, and picked up the stone again. The screams began again, sooner, and louder than before, as if the stone was cursing her for not understanding something. She could feel her hands becoming numb from the coldness radiating out of the stone, and laid the stone in a bucket of water, made from a clear insect shell. She laid her chest onto the dirt floor, and looked at the stone. It was just as before; Clear mist mixed with shades of blue, all swirling together. Aerith sighed, and rolled onto her back. She’d have to wash later today anyhow. Not that it would do much good. All the swampy water that they used was liable to make you more dirty than clean. Something flashed in the corner of her eye, and her eyes darted back to the stone.
Aerith rolled onto her side to better study it. Something was happening. Slowly yet surely, the mist was clearing. She reached her hand into the water, but just as quickly drew it out; The water was freezing, and when she looked closer, she could see that the top layer was - she had forgotten the word.
Her grandfather had told her stories about ice, which was frozen water. And the ice that hadn’t completely formed was called… Sludge! That wasn’t quite the word she had been looking for, but it was enough for her brain.
The top layer had become sludge, and according to her grandfather, that meant that the water was becoming ice. She had never seen ice, but the stone was more important. She took a deep breath, plunged her arm into the freezing water, and pulled out the stone. She dropped it on the dirt floor, and wiped her arm on the vine blanket her mother had made for her. It wasn’t very warm, but it was enough.
Aerith then picked up the stone, and, disregarding the cold, looked inside of the now clear stone. It looked like a world – just as her grandfather had described! Beautiful, green, friendly plants, and huge trees covered the landscape! White, perfectly shaped rocks – they must be houses, and apartments. She squeezed the stone tighter, and suddenly the stone began to scream. Aerith gasped, and dropped the stone back in the water. She hurried to slide open the rock door, and poked her head out nervously. She could hear footsteps coming towards her. She gasped, and quickly stepped out of her room, sliding the door closed with a bang.
“Aerith?”
Aerith could hear her mother calling her, which was unusual to do so, especially since the insects could hear very well. She could make out the dim figure of her mother, Celosia.
“Mom? What is it?” Aerith said quickly. The best thing to do, she felt, was to pretend nothing had happened, and to get her mother as far away from the stone as possible.
“Have you finished your arrows? We’ll need them for the group hunt tomorrow.” Celosia replied, beginning to walk quickly towards Aerith’s room.
Aerith reached out a hand, and grabbed her mom’s arm. “Wait, Mom!”
Celosia stopped, and turned around. “What is it? I’m simply going to help you with your arrow making!” Celosia replied, sharply.
“Don’t worry, I can get that done easily. But… I was going to tell you… I met an insect on my way back from hunting.” Aerith said, mumbling the last bit guiltily.
“What?! The community leader must be told at once!” Celosia cried.
“No! Wait! That’s not it! I lost my sword and ran away!” Aerith added quickly, raising her voice as her mother opened her mouth to scold her, and Celosia’s mouth was left hanging open. She closed her mouth with a snap, and a moment of silence passed. Aerith shifted her feet nervously.
“Well, I can’t say I’m glad you lost your sword, but at least you’re not injured. I’ll take you to the community leader, and we’ll find the insect.” Celosia’s answer was quick, not unlike her. Aerith was pulled along to the tunnel entrance, and she and Celosia, after a brief glance at the sky, hurried to the community leader’s tunnel system.
Celosia quickly recounted what Aerith had told her, and Dayah, the community leader, acted quickly.
“You are very brave, Aerith. I doubt that anyone your age can face off an insect alone, and still manage to get away. You have the hunter’s spirit in you.” Dayah turned quickly to her secretary, and brushed her brown hair out of her eyes. “Gather me a group of Scouts and Trackers. Ten should do. Have them ready as fast as you can.”
Novali, her secretary, gave a short nod, added a final word in berry ink to a document, and hurried away. Aerith could hear her steps fading away, echoed by the walls. Dayah turned to Aerith once again. “I have been meaning to tell you this, Aerith. The makings are coming up soon.” Dayah paused, and ruffled some sheets of paper in front of her.
“As you most likely know, the makings are not only important to the participants, but also to the whole community. This making will be the first you will witness. Normally, I use Retchaws or Hunters to protect the ceremony from insects, since it’s above ground, and in full view of insects. As you know, each making determines the participant’s lifestyle, and is permanent, unless of course, the current community leader elects them to be the next community leader. Whether you are a Hunter, Gatherer, Scout, Medic, Tracker, Chef, or even Weaver, there must always be Retchaws. They protect us. Do you understand?”
Aerith’s eyes darted nervously to her mother. Her mother quickly responded to Aerith’s frantic eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Dayah, but the one thing Aerith doesn’t know about the Makings is the Retchaws. I have been meaning to tell her, but-” Celosia began.
“Oh, I do apologize!” said Dayah, abashed. “I had no idea! I guess I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. Retchaws where the ones that go out to find and target insects. They also used to be the ones that cleared the woodlands. The Retchaws were elite, and relied on.” Dayah replied.
“Until, unfortunately, most of the Retchaws were killed during the last insect attack. We need to recreate the Retchaws. The insects are becoming more and more confident each day.”
Aerith scraped a hole in the dirt ground with her foot self consciously.
Dayah paused for a moment, and looked at Aerith.
“In short, I’d like you to become a Retchaw.”
End of excerpt
Celosia’s mouth was once again hanging open. Aerith looked from Celosia to Dayah nervously.
Dayah reached under her desk, and pulled out a wooden box.
“This is for you. Your grandfather wanted me to give it to you a bit before your first Making.”
Aerith took the box from Dayah with trembling hands. Once it was securely in her hands, she felt that she was holding the memory of her grandfather’s very existence, and could feel the weight that had settled in her heart since his death silently be lifted, like a cloud lifted by a breeze. She looked at Dayah, and tried to talk, but no words would come. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see her mother wiping her eyes with a soft grass paper. She couldn’t speak, but put all her emotions into her thoughts, and sent a silent message with her eyes: Thank you. Dayah smiled sadly, and a tear dropped from her eye, hitting the papers on her desk. The tears didn’t well up in Aerith’s eyes, but flowed smoothly, like the rivers that her grandfather had told her stories about. Thoughts swirled through her mind like birds in a flock. She could see the stars that sparkled through the escape exit.
“Do you see them?” She whispered, gazing at the bright stars. Celosia and Dayah turned and watched the stars flicker endlessly.
“Sometimes I look at the stars, and I think of Grandfather. Maybe he is up there, somewhere, watching us.” murmured Aerith.
Dayah nodded slowly. “I see him. A star, blinking down on us, watching our every move.”
Aerith looked in surprise at Dayah. She didn’t think that anybody would have understood what she had said, but before she could ask any questions she was interrupted by Novali, who burst into the room quickly, skidding along the soft dirt floor.
Aerith snapped out of her thoughts, and became alert almost immediately. Dayah reached over her desk, and grasped Aerith’s arm tightly, a pleading look in her eyes. “Please, Aerith. Think about what I told you.”
Aerith nodded wordlessly.
“I need your decision in five days.” Dayah added quickly, before Celosia pulled Aerith away, saying, “Come on, we should get you to the medics in case the insect released any spores on you.”
Dayah remained motionless for a short time after they had gone.
“Novali. Head the group of trackers and scouts. Find the insect, but don’t attack, but make sure it’s far enough away from our tunnels.”
Novali nodded, and exited the room.
“Kortch.” Dayah said quietly, once Novali’s footsteps had echoed away. A figure in black and gray clothing stepped out of the shadows. A cloak was thrown over his head, and a sword hung in a sheath by his side. A bow & quiver were strapped onto his back, though it seemed to be easily accessible enough.
A figure stepped from the shadows. His eyes were alert, and seemed to see everything.
“You were right. She has great potential to become a Rechtaw.” murmured the figure quietly. Dayah nodded. “As you are the last of the Rechtaw, I believe you are right.”
Kortch sighed. “Although she is physically fit, her mind may not be, especially if Celosia has not yet told her of her true parentage.”
Dayah made no answer to this. “That is not of importance. The fate of the community sits atop her shoulders. As for her parentage, she will be told today – I told Celosia.”
Kortch shook his head. “If she does not accept the lifestyle of a Rechtaw, she will never become one. We must not push her; She must do what she believes is right, or the community is doomed. Otherwise the community will have to hold long enough for me to find another candidate.”
Dayah sighed. “I hope so.”
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Chapter Two
After a brief check for spores, the medics had reported her un contaminated, and in no need for quarantine. On the way home she and her mother hadn’t talked much, but now that they were home, her mother seemed to have something to say to her. Before Aerith could escape to her room, her mother called her into the main room.
“Aerith. Come and sit down. I have something to tell you that I think you deserve to know.” Celosia’s voice was quieter than usual, but Aerith could hear the firmness, and knew she wouldn’t be escaping to her room anytime soon. She could hear her mother sighing deeply, and she stayed with her back turned for a moment longer, unsure if she could face her mother so soon after what Dayah had said to her.
“Aerith.” Celosia’s voice was even quieter, and Aerith could hear her clasping her hands – it was something she did when she was nervous. Knowing she could delay no longer, Aerith turned around and seated herself on one of the chairs that was covered in a red rubbery insect skin.
“Aerith, I…” Celosia’s voice broke off, but she regained her composure quickly enough.
“I… I am not your mother.” Celosia said. Aerith didn’t have to look into her eyes to tell that Celosia was afraid of her reaction. She had heard stories of kids that had been told so, and ran away from home. But, unlike the children in the fairytales, she could not feel any anger towards Celosia. Perhaps it was because she had always known in her heart. She didn’t want to avoid the point for some time before eventually getting down to it.
“Who are my parents?” She asked. “Where are they She could feel a stab of pain in her heart as she voiced the undoubted truth. She had to know, had to hear Celosia say, “They died.” for her to truly believe it. Celosia was silent for a long time. Aerith looked at Celosia, but Celosia could not meet her eyes.
“I always knew you weren’t my mother. I could tell. I just never had proof.” Aerith whispered quietly, willing herself not to cry.
“Are they - Are they…” She couldn’t bring herself to say the last word. Celosia leaned forward consolingly, and Aerith turned her head so Celosia wouldn’t see her crying.
“Please. Tell me – everything.”
Celosia sighed – was it relief? – and began.
“Your father and mother were Rechtaws – the best I had ever met. They could drive away an insect, just the two of them. But the bugs were getting more and more confident, each day wandering closer and closer to our camps. It was no longer safe to live above ground, like we had for so many years. We were forced to tunnel into the ground, creating these tunnel systems. Your father was killed defending the village – I did not see, but they say he fought like a dozen men, your father did. Your mother had given birth to you about two months before this, and I remember her running to my tunnel system, nearly knocking down the front door. She begged me to take you in, and she and your grandfather rushed to help your father. When she didn’t come back, I asked the survivors what had happened. They told me that when she got there, your father was dead, stretched on the floor. She and your grandfather defended his body as much as possible, but were killed.”
Aerith interrupted her here. “But my grandfather was killed in the woodlands!”
Celosia sighed. “That is what I was instructed to tell you.”
Aerith stood up, knocking over a wooden table in her rage, and ran to her room, slamming the stone door closed, and barring it with her desk. She could hear her mother calling after her dimly, but she paid no attention, and slumped onto her bed, staring through blurry eyes at the intricate pattern of the vines.
Two terrible things had happened today. She didn’t think anything could get any worse. About an hour later – she couldn’t see the sun through her window – A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
“Aerith?” Celosia’s concerned voice whispered through the flap. “Please? Can I talk to you?”
Aerith looked at the door sadly, but stood up and slid open the door. “I don’t want to.”
Celosia’s face crumpled. “Aerith, I’m sorry. But I have to finish this. Maybe if I do, you will forgive me, and understand why I had to do this.”
Aerith shrugged, and sat on the opposite side of the bed from Celosia, her back turned, though she was listening.
“When Karlih– he was the community leader at that time – heard of the deaths of so many Retchaw and Hunters, he called a meeting then and there, and announced that Dayah was to be his successor. He then warned everyone not to tell you of your lost parents until you were 12 years old, and about to attend your first Making. He said he had heard a prophecy – that you would be crucial to our survival – and that when you were attending the Making, you should know about your old blood.”
Here Celosia paused, placing her hand on Aerith’s shoulder. “Aerith, I am sorry, but I believed, and so did everyone else, that this was the right thing to do.”
Celosia stood up, but Aerith could still feel her eyes burning into her forehead. “I have to go tell Dayah that you now know the truth.” Celosia said, but Aerith hardly heard her. Celosia stood, looking at Aerith for a moment.
“I have… To go tell Dayah that you know.” Celosia repeated, as if in a daze, before stumbling out of the room. Aerith could feel her footsteps padding across the dirt floor. They sounded cold, and yet warm at the same time, like the stone. She still was shocked that after all her thoughts, after all she had hoped it wasn’t true… It was. Everything was.
She silently slid the rock door closed. She needed to be alone for a while.
The true meaning of alone is not when you are in a room on your own. It is when you are in a room with many people. You can see them laughing together, and this is torture. You can see them, you can hear them, but you can not join them. The feeling of being so close and yet so far. The feeling that you will never join them is almost impossible to bear.
Aerith could feel a stabbing pain in her chest. She felt truly alone, not like she’d felt in years. She could hear her mother calling out to her, her father falling, and the insects wreaking havoc everywhere she looked. Her hands moved to hold her head, and she squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face. She held back her screams - Screams of agony and despair. She planted her face into the rough vine-woven blanket, her tears wetting the vines. She needed revenge, but couldn’t imagine a way to get it. No wonder the villagers had looked at her with pity - and fear, she thought. After all, nobody wanted anything to do with a girl without parents, did they. She could hear Dayah’s words echoing through her head. At first like mist, but soon clear.
There must always be the Retchaws…..
They protect us…..
The ones that target insects…
The elite…. Relied on…..
Five days……
Retchaws..…
They echoed in her head, swirling on and on, forming into a whirlpool of thoughts. She wanted revenge. Joining the Retchaws would give her that. But not only would she become a Retchaw; she would become an avenger. She wiped the tears from her eyes; there wasn’t any use in crying anymore. She had to tell Dayah her decision. Not in five days, but immediately. She needed to become a fully fledged Retchaw… Now. Hadn’t Dayah hinted that she could start training even before her first Making, hadn’t she?
She glanced quickly at the stone; it had turned the water to ice, and was laying on top of the huge cube. Pocketing the stone, she hopped off the bed, brushing the last of her tears from her eyes, and slinging on her bow & arrow, reminding her about her sword. She’d have to retrieve it, and probably before she gave her answer to Dayah.
Sighing inwardly, she clambered up to the main entrance, and briefly checked the horizon before hurrying out. She ran towards where she was certain she had dropped her sword. After looking around though, she could see no sign of it anywhere. She could feel the stone pulsing on her leg, and pulled it out, looking at it intently. She could hear murmuring coming from it, and she held it to her ear.
“Left….” A voice rasped. “Your sword lies to the Left….” Aerith nearly dropped it from shock, but recovered quickly. She looked at it in confusion, then to the left. She caught a glint of steel, reflected from the sun. Sure enough, there lay her sword. Aerith looked back at the stone, but shrugged inwardly. If the stone could help her, then she wouldn’t complain.
“You are strong with Malus, young one.” The stone was speaking again.
“What’s that?” Aerith said, puzzled, holding the stone to her mouth. If this would help her with her Retchaw training, then why not?
“The Malus guides your movements, gives you strength, and drives away unwanted beings.”
“You mean that when the insect ran away, that was me, not you?” Aerith said quizzically, staring at the stone.
“Yes… Holding me helped you access the power you never knew you had.”
The stone replied. Aerith looked at the stone again, and suddenly realized that she couldn’t tell anyone of its existence - or be forced to hand it over. She retrieved her sword, and after giving it a few experimental swings to make sure it wasn’t damaged, she clipped it to her belt. Sliding the stone back into her pouch, she hurried back, quicker than before. Currently, the most important thing was to become a Retchaw - never mind about the Malus thing - She could figure that out later. She skidded to a stop in front of Dayah’s main tunnel entrance, and slid down, sending a shower of dirt onto her.
Aerith hurried across the corridor, lit only by three or four small windows. If she had more time, she might have stopped to look at the approaching dawn - she must have stayed awake the night without realizing it. But that didn’t matter much, did it?
The windows were like miniature tunnels, and yet you could fit in one if you really had to. Each window had two passageways; The first was a passage into a small room, generally halfway between standard tunnels and the ground. The second passageway was drilled all the way up, making a window for light.
Aerith paused at the rock door nervously, knowing that inside awaited a choice that would follow her for the rest of her life. She came up with last-minute excuses, but all were dashed by her mind.
Maybe a Gatherer would be better than Retchaw.
Gatherer? Don’t be absurd. When have you ever been interested in plants?
Well, maybe a scout.
Yeah, right, like you ever even considered that.
Well, now I am considering it!
Uh-huh. Scout is the life for you.
Fine! I’ll be a Tracker! Or Weaver!
Stop whining. We both know what you’re going to be.
Aerith gave up arguing with her brain, and knocked softly on the door. She half-hoped that nobody would answer - perhaps Dayah had gone to sleep - but her hopes were dashed when the door slid open, and Dayah was waiting for her.
“Back already, aren’t you?” Dayah said quietly, reassuringly. “It’s safe to assume you’ve come to give me your answer, isn’t it?”
Aerith nodded - it seemed to be all she could do. She waited for Dayah to say something, but Dayah’s lips remained firmly closed, and Aerith noticed that she had stiffened despite her reassuring answers.
“I…”
Aerith was at a loss for words.
“I… I want to become a Retchaw.”
Dayah didn’t look surprised, though Aerith could tell she was.
“What made you change your mind?”
It was a simple question, yet Aerith could not help but stiffen. “I know about my father - my mother - and how they died. And I need to get revenge.”
Dayah’s brow crinkled. “On who?”
Dayah certainly had a knack for asking difficult questions, didn’t she, thought Aerith. “I’m not exactly sure. Whoever governs the insects, I guess.”
Dayah nodded slowly, absorbing the information. “Then that would be… Sharlihow, the Insect Lord.”
Aerith opened her mouth to ask a dozen questions, but Dayah held up her hand, and Aerith shut her mouth again.
“Sharlihow is not an insect, but a cross between one. He looks human, but has the strength of an insect. He wears fake skin, but under the skin is scales - part of his body. No more questions about him - for now.”
Aerith nodded. “When do I start training? To be a Retchaw, I mean.”
Dayah consulted some papers on her desk. “Normally you would become one when you participated in the Making, but we can make an exception. You will begin training tomorrow. Don’t tell anyone about this - not even Celosia. If asked, say that you’re going hunting. This training is secret. Do you understand?”
Aerith could recall the last words being said in their earlier conversation, and they gave her a hint of doubt, but she couldn’t back out now. Not when she was so close. She nodded, touching the stone for reassurance. She could feel a surge of power coming from the stone - Malus. She felt strong, not only in her body, but in her heart too. She was ready for whatever was to come the next day.
Aerith awoke four hours later. She could barely recall that she’d fallen asleep. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around her. She was in her bedroom, and now that she thought about it, she thought she could remember stumbling to her tunnel system, derived from sleep. She hopped out of her bed, quickly folding the blanket, and snatched up her weapons. She felt something cold on her leg, and remembered the stone. She pulled it out and looked at it. Nothing had changed, so she put it back in her pouch, fastening the clip. She slid open the rock door, and hurried out, scaling the entrance quickly and easily. After a quick glance at the horizon - she wouldn’t make the same mistake twice - she dashed to Dayah’s tunnel system, sliding down the main entrance and landing awkwardly. Inwardly cursing, she continued to Dayah’s main room. She put up her knuckles, ready to knock, but paused. Inside of the room was the hardest decision she would ever make - should she sacrifice the village and her thirst for revenge, becoming what she had always trained for?
But no.
Her inner mind said.
That was before… You knew about your parents. Before you were a cloud among many, drifting along in their direction. Now you truly have a purpose to live. You are going against the current, because you, unlike everyone else, have a purpose.
Yeah, Yeah.
Aerith said, pushing her thoughts away.
On the other hand, take this path and you will be forever different.
I already am different.
Do not let your loneliness govern your life.
Aerith clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. She already knew she was lonely. Cast off. Forgotten. And if she chose this path, as her mind phrased it, then she would not have a chance to become part of the “crowd”. But if she was to accomplish her new-found goal - her purpose - she would have to sacrifice. Slowly, she unclenched her fist, and hovered a few inches in front of the door, but before her nerves could get the best of her, she knocked. A metallic sound from the stone echoed along the silent passageway. She heard footsteps, and then the door opened. Novali’s concerned face beat down on her. Aerith lifted her chin.
“I need to speak with Dayah.”
Novali looked confused. “If there’s something she needs to know, pass it onto me and I can tell her.”
Aerith shook her head.
“I have to tell Dayah myself.”
Novali shrugged, and motioned for Aerith to sit down.
“She’ll be gone a long time - are you sure?”
Part of her mind was screaming for Aerith to say “No, I’m not sure”, but she didn’t. Clamping her mouth closed, she nodded, biting her lip nervously.
The sun had reached the middle of the sky before Dayah had come back. She looked surprised to see Aerith waiting for her.
“I didn’t know you’d be back so soon!” Dayah said. “I’ll go collect some more reports,” Novali said, nodding to Aerith and exiting.
“Is it safe to assume that you’ve come with your answer?” Dayah said, leaning forward.
Aerith nodded. “I…” It seemed so hard to get the words out, now that she was actually talking face to face with Dayah.
“I… I want… To become a…” She paused, then whispered the final word; the word that would be with her for the rest of her life. “Retchaw.”
Dayah smiled. “I’m glad you’ve agreed. Training starts tomo-”
She was cut off. “I have to start now.” Aerith said coldly, surprising even herself.
Dayah looked at her. “I didn’t think you would be so eager! Very well, I’ll see what I can do…” She paused, and ruffled some papers on her desk.
“Let’s see… Kortch is your mentor by the way. He’s the only surviving Retchaw, which I find fascinating, as I’m sure you will too.” She pulled up a stack of papers triumphantly. “Ah! Here they are. Yes… Kortch is available in the evening. Don’t forget - this is secret training - nobody must know.” Dayah said, looking back at Aerith.
“But Celosia already knows.” Aerith replied anxiously. Would that mean that she wouldn’t be able to become a Retchaw? Maybe she shouldn’t have brought it up to start with.
“Yes, I know… It couldn’t be helped. Just say that you refused.” Dayah said distractedly, glancing at the papers again. “Come here when it is near midnight - that will be when your training begins.” Dayah replied, shuffling the papers, and placing them back on her desk. Aerith nodded, managed a weak smile, and hurried out of the room.
She arrived at her tunnel system safely, sliding down, and met by Celosia.
“Well?” Celosia said quickly. “Are you going to become a Retchaw?”
Aerith shook her head, and started walking to her room. “No. It’s too much work. I just told Dayah.”
“Oh well. You’ve always wanted to be a hunter!” Celosia said, though Aerith could tell she was extremely relieved, and could hear her muttering to herself as she turned away, “It’s much too dangerous anyhow.”
While Celosia was stirring a kettle of water, Aerith made her escape to her room, quickly sliding the door closed, and turning. She looked at the bucket of water. It was half-frozen. She pulled out the stone from her pouch and sat on the bed, staring at it. It seemed so peaceful, so kind… and yet she knew that the power to destroy everything she had ever known lay inside. Malus. She wasn’t sure if it was good or bad. She just knew that she had it.
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Chapter Three
The same, never changing stars blinked through Aerith’s window. She had been struggling not to sleep since the evening. She glanced at the moon. It was near midnight. She silently buckled on her sword, and pocketed the stone. She pulled on her padded shoes, and slowly opened the rock door. It creaked, and she paused, listening to Celosia’s calm breathing. After a moment, she slid the rock door open a bit more. There was now just enough space for her to squeeze through. She slid out, and, after another brief moment, she hurried to the tunnel entrance. She clambered up, and checked the skies. They were clear. She scurried precipitously towards Dayah’s main tunnel system, and smashed into something. Dazed, she looked up, and started. Novali was looking down at her in surprise.
“Goodness, Aerith! What are you doing at this hour?” Novali said in surprise. Aerith shrugged. “I wanted to hunt, to make up for yesterday. I know Celosia won’t let me, so…” She made a helpless gesture with her hands. Novali nodded, rubbing her arm. It seemed as though her skin was coming off, but it was so dark by now that it was probably a trick of the light.
“Well then, I won’t trouble you!” Novali said, stepping back. Aerith nodded, and began to run away from the camp, towards the woodlands. Had she looked back, she would have seen not Novali, but a creature with fake skin peeling off revealing scales, and blood-red eyes. No longer the body of a woman, but the insect lord.
After a while, Aerith glanced behind her, and was greeted with darkness. Slowly, she circled back to the camp, and slid silently down Dayah’s main entrance. She peaked through the half-transparent rock doorway, and was glad to see that Dayah was the only one standing there. She knocked on the door, and it opened. Dayah stood at the doorway. “You’re right on time. I’ll call Kortch.” She disappeared in a sub-hallway for a moment, then reappeared with a mysterious figure dressed in black. The figure nodded at Aerith. “I’m Kortch. We should go before Novali returns.”
Kortch briskly strode out of the room, and out of the tunnel system, with Aerith on his heels.
“Where are we going?” Aerith whispered, running to catch up with him.
“The woodlands.” was his abrupt answer.
“Is that where I’ll train?” Aerith said. “Yes.” Kortch said, pointing to the looming growth of treacherous vines. The woodlands. Even though it was dark, Aerith would know the woodlands anywhere. Dangerous. Treacherous. Evil. Dark. and yet… they felt like home in a way. At least, they felt more like home than the tunnel systems and caves they lived in now. She was more open, more free to do as she pleased.
“I thought nobody else went in there.” Aerith said in surprise.
“Else?” Kortch slowed. “Do you go in the woodlands regularly?”
Aerith shrugged guiltily “It’s the only place to find water, and best place for food.” She said nervously.
Kortch nodded slowly.
“Oh, and please please don’t tell Dayah or Celosia, because if they know then I won’t be able to go anymore.” Aerith added. Kortch nodded again, and Aerith hoped it meant he wouldn’t tell.
Kortch suddenly stopped walking, and Aerith skidded to a stop behind him. She took a moment to examine her surroundings; It was just inside the woodlands. Grassy, and covered in vines. It wasn’t open at all - not what she’d expect a training ground to be.
“What are we doing here?” Aerith asked, glancing around again for some kind of hint as to what she would be doing.
“I’ll first need to assess your physical and mental strength.” Kortch replied.
“Let’s see…. Attack me.” Kortch continued, gesturing for Aerith.
“What?” Aerith demanded, not sure she had heard right.
“I said, attack me.”
Aerith looked at him quizzically. “Why?”
Kortch sighed. “Just do it. I need to test your physical strength.”
Aerith hesitated a moment longer, then threw a half-hearted punch at his left ear.
His hand moved like lightning, catching her fist in his palm.
“I hope you’re more enthusiastic than that… or you’ll never become a Retchaw.” Kortch said, filling Aerith with rage. She pulled her hand away, and began punching and kicking him. If he wanted a fight, he had one!
“That’s better!” Kortch said, ducking and deflecting her hits easily. Five minutes later she was breathing hard, but noticed that he hadn’t even lost breath.
“How - can you - still not be tired?” She said, gasping for breath.
“I’ve been trained in quick recovery; it takes more effort to tire me, and if I’m unconscious, I’ll recover much quicker.” Kortch replied.
“Will - You - Teach me?” Aerith said.
“I can’t help you except tell you what to do.”
“Which is what?” Aerith asked.
Kortch looked at her for a moment, and she held his gaze as best as she could.
“Quick recovery is difficult to learn - most give up after a week. Knock yourself out, but keep a flame burning in your chest - your spirit. You will wake much quicker. Do this eight times a day. After many months, you will be able to call upon your flame at will.”
Kortch replied. “Are you up to it?”
Aerith swallowed nervously.
“I am.”
Kortch turned around, and began to walk back to the campsite.
“Wonderful. Meet me tomorrow, same time, same place.” His voice was teasing. Pitying.
Aerith’s fist clenched by her side as she silently watched his figure walk away, and swallowed by the darkness.
She looked at her fist. Wasn’t he supposed to teach her something? Quick recovery had been her idea- and yet she wished that she had never mentioned it. She sighed, and heard his words back in her head. Most give up after a week. She wouldn’t be like them. She would never give up again.
She unclenched her fist, and looked at the looming tree ahead of her.
She imagined a flame inside of her, flickering peacefully. She looked at the tree. Then she ran. And everything went black. She struggled to find her flame again, but it was gone. Slowly she felt herself sinking into darkness, a light ahead of her fading slowly away.
She awoke an hour later. It was almost dawn. She gathered her flame, and slammed into the tree. For the second time, everything went black. And again, the light faded slowly away.
She awoke to the sunlight streaming into the woodlands, and sighed. At this rate she’d never get enough sleep, much less have time to knock herself out 8 times a day. She looked to the horizon, expecting to see Kortch standing there, waiting for her, but was met with the disappointing empty landscape. She picked up her Bow & Arrow, and, clipping her sword to her belt, began to search for prey. After all, she needed an excuse for being out all night. It was a long time before she spotted a rabbit.
Turn this into story, not so abrupt:
Kortch: Now that you’ve managed to hold the flame, you need to expand it, and let your body fill with light. Do you understand?
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Comments for the Entire Story
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Your writing style is really good!
Comment by Alex McStevens on May 26, 2025Liked by 0 -
Please continue it!
Comment by Alex McStevens on May 26, 2025Liked by 0
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