He always came for me the night of the full moon. It was like he was drawn to me somehow, since no matter where I was, he always seemed to find me. I didn’t bother to question it because I thought it was just because someone finally wanted me.

Ever since I had turned 12, I’d been on my own. My village thought of me as a freak – because of the color of my eyes, and I had been cast out. Alone and forgotten, I couldn’t have known.

On the first night it hadn’t been expected. I was barely an adolescent after all. That was my excuse for being so very unprepared.

The dazed scary weakness of ‘possession’. I had always thought that the stories of “if you went out into the forest during the night of the full moon, you’d become possessed” had been just that: stories. Now, as the overwhelming feeling of weakness gripped me, I realized my horrible blunder.

I was going to die. And at the same time I came to this sickening realization, the shadows showed me mercy and I embraced their darkness.

--
Chapter One – Knowledge.
There was a soft frown set on delicate lips as she entered the tiny village. She despised public places. The lecherous eyes of the men made her shudder while the envious looks of the women annoyed her. Going into town made her anxious and ready for attack, which was why she didn’t go into town very often.

Cautiously, she walked around the crowding bodies. The village itself was prosperous for being so small. But she wasn’t there to shop. Elle had told her that this was a job – a job she didn’t want falling into the hands of those filthy Immortals.

The Village Heads home was strategically placed near the center of the village. Casually, she knocked on the door three times before a stout looking man opened and quickly ushered her inside.

“Are you Elle?” The Village Head asked after closing the door.

“No, I’m Kira. I heard you had a problem.” She answered, hoping the man wouldn’t dwell on the fact that she wasn’t Elle.

“Yes, we do. Are you competent?” The mans voice was condescending.

Kira ignored the tone, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Even with the hood of her cloak acting as a shield, she didn’t want to risk it. “Yes sir, I’m quite competent.” She paused briefly, expecting him to challenge her on that fact before continuing. “What exactly do you think we’re dealing with.”

He looked her up and down before answering, “A possessor.”

Kira nodded, holding back the memories of that night five years ago. It wouldn’t do for a customer to see her fear. “How many has it taken?”

“Four. The last one died this week.” He hesitated, “He came before you, a mercenary that killed demons.”

“Two gold coins.” She replied, ignoring the statement. Kira turned for the door, walking briskly.

“That’s fine. It will come straight from my own pocket, but you should know...” he stated, “This possessor, it only comes out on the full moon.”

A curt nod was her only reply before she slipped out the door and closed it behind her.

--

When I awoke, he was there.

He looked like a dignified lord. But somehow I knew he couldn’t be someone like that. Especially when he was helping me. He was staring off into space, something that a lord wouldn’t allow himself being caught doing.

I felt as though I could go right back to sleep. My whole body was tired, from fighting off being possessed I assume. But I pushed myself up. The movement caused his eyes to lock onto mine, freezing my 12 year old body in place.

“Who are you?” He demanded, seeming frustrated about something. “And quit staring at me, damnit.”

I averted my eyes immediately, looking down at my hands that were covered with little cuts and bruises. There was a long moment of strained silence.

“Kira.” I mumbled, my voice sounding strange to my own ears. I hadn’t heard it in so long.

“What?” He was a demanding person, barking orders at me like I was a soldier.

“You asked who I was... I’m Kira.” I elaborated. “Can I ask who you are?”

“Noah.” He answered, surprising me. He then threw something, a parcel, in my general direction. “Put that on, and find cover the next full moon. I can’t promise I’ll be there next time.” And then he disappeared like magic.

Well... at least talking to him was better than talking to no one, I sighed.

--

He watched her enter the village, feeling even more frustrated. Even at 17 she was as stubborn as the 12 year old he had first met. He growled under his breath at the looks the men and women threw at her. But that wasn’t the only source of his frustrations. The full moon would be upon them that evening at sun down. Why had she stopped at that damn village? Was she seeking trouble? She needed to be in a safe place, not out in the damned open!

Far more angry now after allowing himself to get worked up, he stalked after her into the village. Moving down rows of shops and ploughing through people. Of course he was careful not to knock anyone down, after all, he didn’t need any more people hating him for just being The Immortal Leader. He slammed open the door to the small inn Kira had just entered, and pinned the frightened attendant with a glare.

“Now, what’s your name?” Noah asked, walking over to the small desk the man was at.

“A...A...Adam.” the young man stuttered.

“You know that young lady that just walked in here? You’re going to tell me exactly which room she’s in.” Noah pulled out a sharp looking dagger from its sheath on his side casually, “Or, I can cut off some fingers until you tell me. Your choice.”

“F...f...first door... o...on the... r...right” Adam was practically shaking.

Noah smiled, perfect white teeth glinting in the reflecting light from the windows. “Thank you, Adam. I hope you have a wonderful day.”

He found the room quite easily, and after putting the dagger away, he knocked on the door. When Kira answered, he pushed her out of the way and walked in as though he owned her room. Then again, from the shocked expression on the young woman’s features, he didn’t think she’d mind.

“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing Kira?! Trying to get yourself killed? What’s the number one rule? Always, always, always find cover. And what are you doing? Cause it sure as hell doesn’t look like you’re in a safe place right now!” Noah was yelling as soon as she shut the door.

“Wow. I think that’s the most you’ve ever said to me in one go, Noah. Don’t strain yourself.” Kira didn’t resist the urge to role her eyes at the exasperated young man in front of her turned to glare at her. Of course, she still had her cloak on, so he wouldn’t see.

“Don’t try and change the subject Kira. What the hell are you doing?” Noah asked again, but his voice was softer. He never really could stay mad at her for some reason.

“A job.” Kira replied, using a matter of fact tone. She moved passed him to sit on the window sill.

“No.” Noah retorted bluntly, “You’re coming somewhere safe with me.”

“Contrary to popular belief, you’re not my keeper, Noah. I’m in my 17 year, I can make decisions on my own.”

“I won’t allow it. No matter how old you are.” He answered.

She stood up abruptly, the hood of her cloak – the one he’d given her in their first meeting – catching on the curtain. It fell back, exposing long wavy blond hair with black streaks. Her eyes glinted fiercely.

“You can’t tell me what to do, Noah. No matter who you think you are.” Kira yelled at him.

“Kira.” He breathed softly.

She had bronze skin and the long hair she had always had. Her skin was slightly bronze from being outside all the time. But her eyes had changed from when he had first seen her. The huge minty green pools were replaced with huge pink irises. This forced him to realize something that he didn’t want to know. Something he didn’t think possible for the young woman in front of him.

She scrambled in an attempt to hide what she looked like. To hide what she was. She was scared now that he too would turn from her, like so many others had. Kira felt sick as she realized that her own anger, her own stupidity had probably just cost her the one person other than Elle that actually talked to her.

“You... You’re.” This was the first time he had stumbled over words in her presence. Her stomach dropped as she forced her own words to finish his chopped sentence.

“Yes, now you know. I’m a freak.” Kira walked passed him, fully intending to leave Noah there by himself and get as far away as possible. But Noah caught her hand before she could reach the door. She didn’t turn.

“No not a freak. Don’t you understand?” He turned her hand over in his, so that he could see the back of it. But even though she felt a slight twinge of pain in her arm from him twisting and turning it, she still didn’t turn around to face him. Kira was far to afraid of the look of hate there. When his hand brushed against one of her knuckles, she was forced to turn around and see what he was talking about when he said, “When did you get these?”

Noah was talking about the tattoos, and Kira pulled her hand from his grasp. “I don’t know. They just appeared around the same time my eyes changed.”
He caught her hand again, gently he held it up to eye level. He pointed to the one below her first knuckle. “This one means Element in the foreign texts of Knowledge. And this one means Fire, that must be your first element you’ll learn.” Noah said, “We’ve waited for you for nearly 200 years, Kira.”

He waited for her to slap him. He waited for her to wrench her hand from his grasp and stomp out of the room. Noah wouldn’t have been surprised. He wouldn’t have been disturbed. What disturbed him was when he heard this hysteric laughter. The kind you have when you find something so outrageous you have to laugh, because there isn’t any other reaction for it. Tears were flowing down her cheeks by the time she was done.

As she was wiping the tears from her cheeks with the heels of her hands, Kira chuckled again. “That is the funniest thing I think you’ve ever said to me Noah.” She clapped him on the shoulder. “Good one.”

“I’m not kidding, Kira.” Noah answered, his voice holding that stern superiority of vast knowledge.

During their conversation, neither noticed the foreboding setting of the sun. As the shadows began to set in and the light began to fade from the room they sat staring at each other. Neither realized that something was very, very wrong until they heard the scream.

“We don’t have time for this!” Noah said, tightening the grip on the hand he hadn’t let go of yet and heading for the door.

--

I didn’t see him again, Noah, for the longest time.

I knew that he still came and protected me, on the night of the full moon that is. But only because of the still lit fire when I came awake. Usually he left me a parcel and some money for that particular moon cycle. He never left a letter, which suited me just fine since I couldn’t read very well.

Reflecting back now, over those five years I wish just once I had seen him. Not just because of the void of loneliness that seemed to grow in my chest. Or the want for companionship that seemed to grow every day, but also because of all those questions I wanted – no needed – answers too. For instance, how come he was able to fend off the Shadows that invaded our dreams. That took over our mortal bodies and killed us from the inside out.

Most of all though, the biggest question I wanted to ask was the simplest yet most complicated...

Why? On that first night out of all the people he could have possibly saved... why did he save me?

--

Noah took no time locating the possessor. He hadn’t dropped her hand in the entire time they’d ran. The monster was looking for its next victim when they made it to the entrance where the Village Heads home was. Although, the cobblestone street was a lot less crowded, except for the few curious patrons that apparently wanted to die.

“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get the hell away from here!” Noah pulled a huge sword from its sheath on his back. It glowed a pure white color, and as he turned the blade toward the Possessor he said menacingly, “Unless you’re so eager for death.”

Kira didn’t pay much attention as she stood slightly beside, and somewhat behind Noah. Her gaze was fixated on the repulsive monster that was moving blindly around for its next meal. Its body was gargantuan, and dripped with gooey blood. Kira was unsure whether it was blood from its own body or from its last victim.

It met her eyes and Kira felt frozen. She couldn’t move an inch and everything around her seemed to slow down. She kept hearing someone repeating the word “move” over and over again, it took her a minute to realized it was actually her. Backing up a step when the nearly transparent thing took a huge step towards her.

The Possessors body blurred out of sight. And Kira realized suddenly that there wasn’t one, but two of them. Noah wouldn’t be able to save her in time and she brought her arms up to protect herself. Her eyes shut tightly, but she didn’t scream.

As the Possessors body slammed into hers, it knocked her over. The body wasn’t a solid form, but more like a force... Kira didn’t move for a long time.

“Kira! Kira we have to go.” Noah was at her side pulling on her elbow to help her up, his voice sounding urgent in her ear.

When she finally opened her eyes to look around she took one look at the ground, before turned confused eyes on Noah. He pretended not to notice, before pulling her into a run. The haze of dark, shadowy looking clouds was nearly upon them, and they needed to be within the safety of the caves along the Cliffside.

Kira didn’t look back at the cobblestone streets. She didn’t have too. The image of charred rocks and black burnt like buildings was forever engraved into her mind.

--

Noah eventually had to carry me. As we breeched the forest I could feel myself stumbling. Unlike Noah, I had a mere mortal body, that was susceptible to the effects the Shadows had on people. For me, it was being dragged into an unnatural sleep.
He easily scooped me into his arms, as though I weighed nothing.  I closed my eyes sleepily. I honestly couldn’t force myself to stay awake. You’d think after 5 years of this, I’d be able to make it through one night of the Full Moon.
When we reached a suitable cave, Noah set me down and pulled a blanket from my pack. He wrapped me in it, then sat staring at me with unfathomable curiosity. I stared back in a daze. And as I drifted off into the darkness, allowing its cool grips to pull me under, I wondered again about him.
Why did Noah save me? And after all these years of completely avoiding me, why did he suddenly come find me at a town?
Noah was definitely a mystery... and this time, I wasn’t about to just let him leave without at least saying goodbye.