Nightblade by Ryan Kirk

without notice. They didn’t even try to chase me. They let me get a head start, just so I knew what I was up against. I never stopped moving, trying to get out of the range of their senses. I ran for two days, forfeiting sleep. But it didn’t matter. Two days later, after I thought I was safe, they came for me and brought me back. I still carry the marks from the punishment to this day.”
    Moriko thought over his words. She decided that it was a good story, but she didn’t believe him. He noticed it too.
    “Don’t worry. I know you’ll try to come up with your own plan, and you won’t listen to me. Few people do. But listen to the others. They’ve been through the same things, and some of them have tried to escape. Listen to their stories and then see if you will believe mine. I’m just trying to help.” The monk halted for moment, as if he had just noticed something that he hadn’t before. “Now, I must take you to the Abbot, for he wants to meet you.”
    Moriko followed the monk without argument. As she suspected, they went to the large building at the back of the monastery. The inside was even more impressive than the outside. The carvings were elaborate and stretched throughout the entire frame and all the woodwork. There was more gold than Moriko had ever seen in one place before. Moriko, despite herself, was fascinated by the carvings and etchings and wished she could have the opportunity to look at them and study them. Sometimes in her spare time she enjoyed carving, but this was far beyond her ability.
     
    She almost didn’t notice the man who sat in the center of the room. He was a small man, but when Moriko turned her attention to him, she knew immediately why he was the leader of the monks. Goro had been stronger than anyone she had ever met. Through their entire journey he never stopped glowing, and Moriko came to accept this was what monks were like. This was stronger. She had adjusted to being around Goro, reaching the state where she only noticed his glow if she searched for it. Facing the Abbot she felt her heart begin to beat faster and her palms begin to sweat.
    The Abbot sat cross-legged, engaged in meditation. Moriko almost jumped when he spoke. He had been sitting so still she had wondered if he was awake. “Moriko, I am glad you are able to be with us. I can tell that you are scared and angry and thinking about your family. I want you to know everything is going to be fine. We are going to take care of you here, and we’re going to teach you how to be the best person you can be so you can go around helping people like we do. I hope you think that sounds nice.”
    Moriko thought that the Abbot’s monotone voice sounded more creepy than nice, but even her young mind was able to see the wisdom in going along with this man. “Yes, it does.”
    “I know you’re going to think about running away, but please don’t. What you don’t understand is we need you here. People like us are special, and for the good of the Kingdom we need to take care of each other. There are rules here that will help keep you safe and happy. The first one, and one of the most important, is to never leave without permission. The world is a dangerous place, but in here you will be safe, and we will take care of you. The other students will let you know the other rules.”
    Moriko nodded, unsure of what else she could do.
    “There’s another reason we ask you not to leave. The world doesn’t understand the power you have. They are scared of you. It’s much safer for you to be here with others who understand you. If you go out into the world again before you are ready, I don’t know what would happen to you.”
    Moriko thought of her family, not even seeing her off. The moment she had been tested she had been torn from her family as though she had never existed. They had let her go. They had wanted her to leave. She understood now.
    “I’m the Abbot of this monastery. I want you to think of me both as a