Longing hearts Chapter 1 (Continuation of Eyes that bled Grief)

Losing you once more

Silence finally spread over the river banks of Kirilov, the darkness and cold air making it that much more impressive. Koro removed the crimson armor from his body, feeling the blood rush back into his system aggressively, burning his veins in the process. He released a breath and looked up at the starless sky. That was the second major outburst this month and he patiently followed master Ikrov’s orders in hope that his guts were mistaken. Koro could sense that the manifestations he fought this past year had a different feel to them, comparing to the ones he used to fight before. With a purse of his lips, he shoved all the thoughts away and headed back to the rented motorcycle.

Deciding that he had no sleep in him, he visited a local bar, one of the few places you could get a drink after midnight. As soon as he walked in the stuffy and loud establishment, he unzipped his black, leather jacket and scanned the room in search for an empty seat. As always, there were a few available ones by the bar and he wasted no time, sitting there and ordering a vodka. He had turned accustomed to the strong alcohol during his stay in Russia as a follower. As soon as he downed his second glass, he felt the vibration of his phone inside his jacket pocket. With a sour expression he took it out and glanced at Irene’s message. Master Ikrov wanted him to return sooner, claiming that he was going to send three new guys to finish the jobs in the area. With a sigh, he gave her a quick positive reply and placed the device back into his pocket. Irene was a follower responsible for communications and her work was a constant chaos due to the sheer amount of contacts she had to interact with.

Koro had to catch a night flight to return to the estate and the journey back took him ten hours in total. When he appeared in front of his master, Ikrov, the familiar sensation of security coursed through him, as soon as his crystal blue eyes fell on him. He pointed at the couch opposite of the armchair he sat on, a glass of liquor in his right hand.

‘’I would like a description of the manifestations you fought this past month.’’, he told him with his deep voice, making sure to speak in Russian. Koro had to learn the basics of the language during the first months of living in the estate, while training extensively.

‘’I faced two large scaled outbursts, catching them just before they turned defensive. If we were late, it would be impossible for us to destroy them.’’, Koro spoke with a light frown, observing his master’s bland expression. ‘’Still no pair to be found?’’, he added, his heart aching as a memory gnawed on his mind. Ikrov smirked lightly.

‘’I have been in contact with all the masters and there is still no apostle pairing in the world.’’, he replied and the male follower felt his stomach tighten. ‘’But the world has always been working accordingly. If we need one, it will appear.’’

Koro nodded, but deep inside of him he disagreed with the blonde, much older male. Despite the faith the masters had in fate, due to past experiences, the young follower couldn’t help but feel on edge, worried that this time they were going to lose a lot of ground and even human lives, before they manage to contain the situation. Master Ikrov always kept them updated on the entire region’s state, as well as the situation in the rest of the world and Koro could tell that these outbursts were no random facts. He only wondered whether the other regions were as lucky as them and caught up to the problem before it became irreversible.

After the black-haired male was excused, he went to his room, pausing a couple seconds, as always, to stare at the door beside his, the door from which his best friend used to walk out of. His breathing slowed down and he felt a sickening pressure on his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes, the wound of his sister’s and best friend’s death was still too fresh for him, despite all the months gone by. He rushed into his room and threw his fist against the bed, feeling no satisfaction from the action. Punching the wall would offer more release, but he didn’t want to have to explain to his master why he did it. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists so hard, that his nails dug into his skin, drawing blood. His head hurt from the intensity of his jaw clenching and he was barely able to breathe. Mainda had disappeared from his grasp once more, along with his best friend and it was tough for him to even grieve. Somewhere deep in his heart he hid a hope that they might return from the dead once more, despite knowing full well that you could not come back a second time.

When the breath released from his lungs, Koro’s body shook intensely. Deciding that there was no other way to calm down, he changed into training clothes and headed for the underground gym of the estate, plugging in his headphones as well. He wished for no discussions with others. Despite the exhaustion from the journey, he still trained for more than an hour, seeking to exert all the pent up energy his rage had caused. The young follower rested in the late afternoon, sleeping more than twelve hours straight.

Luckily he had a week off to spend in the estate or the towns nearby, unless something urgent came up, which wasn’t uncommon lately. What his mind wanted though was peace and it felt impossible. He tried to occupy himself with anything he could find, but at the end of the night, when he was alone with his own mind and no distractions to be seen, everything resurfaced. Koro sucked it up fairly well all this time, but still struggled on his own.

‘’You’ll end up burning the pages.’’, a female voice was heard and he lifted his eyes to face Nadia, master Ikrov’s follower of twenty years. She was as young as him, but came to his side when she was merely a child. He managed a chuckle for her, since he appreciated her determined and fierce nature that hid behind her beautiful face when she was near people she liked.

‘’I rarely see you anymore. Is master giving you trouble?’’, she added jokingly and Koro lifted his brows, knowing quite well how obsessed she was with Ikrov. You could see the gleam in her chestnut eyes every time he spoke to her. Every follower was inclined to love their master, but some of them ended up reaching the limit. Nadia was that kind of person. She was also the person to make jokes and lift everyone’s spirit. It made Koro wonder what was really in her mind and soul.

‘’I have been facing many outbursts lately.’’, he commented seriously and her eyes darkened, as she sat opposite of him, glancing around the half empty library of the estate. She left two thick books on the desk and leaned near his side, forcing him to lean in as well.

‘’All the top dogs are. Master is sending us all over the region again and again.’’, she murmured. She shrugged her shoulders as she leaned back. ‘’If a pairings don’t start appearing I think we will be in for a lot of work. I thought that last pairing mission would have improved the situation but it seems not.’’, Mainda added and a realization came upon Koro.

‘’I never saw their bodies.’’, he commented and the woman in front of him blinked in confusion. The male’s eyes darted from side to side as if searching the inside of his brain, before he stood up and run off, a very specific question aching his brain. He only felt stupid for failing to think of it before. The moment his eyes fell on master Ikrov who stood beside the lit fireplace, a number of followers scattered in the room around him, he approached him with no hesitation.

‘’Master, a word with you, please.’’

The blonde male lifted his brows and nodded his head nonchalantly, shifting his body and attention entirely on the young follower. He moved his right hand, the one having a cigarette tucked in, towards him, giving him the signal to carry on.

‘’I do not wish to doubt you master, but something just occurred to me.’’, he began, trying to word his thoughts properly. ‘’You only showed me Tori’s and Mainda’s ashes, never their bodies.’’ To this, the blonde master’s eyes narrowed, a reaction that never meant good things.

‘’What are you suggesting?’’

‘’Were those ashes really theirs?’’, Koro uttered and immediately felt guilt for it. Master Ikrov stared at him intensely for a few seconds before suddenly breaking into a light laughter.

‘’My, my, dear Koro. You seem overly confident in doubting you own master…’’, he replied and the black-haired man felt his stomach tighten and his breath shorten. ‘’Indeed I lied to you.’’

Koro stared at his master with widened eyes, mind beginning to blank out. Ikrov’s expression turned serious once more.

‘’We have no choice but to keep this under wraps.’’, he nearly whispered. ‘’Follow me.’’, he added after glancing around the room at the followers who minded their own business. One thing became clear for the young follower. The event in Bermuda still hadn’t been dealt with.