A/N: Thank you for the reviews and forgive me for not updating as soon as I wanted too. Well, here's chapter three. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Look at chapter one or two and they'll tell you.

Chapter Three: Left Behind

" Oh my God! Oh my God! OH MY GOD! She's going to die! And it's all your fault, Torn! If she hadn't gotten hurt from that-that thing, she wouldn't be in this mess!"

It was Erika. She had been freaked out ever since she saw her daughter in the

state she was in right now. Kelsey was sitting on the table while Torn was cleaning out the punctured holes so they wouldn't be infected. The child was all covered in the foul muck that was none other than the blood from the 'defeated' Metal Heads. Its odor stunk up the house after awhile that was soon making the Nodinean woman gag a little or pinch her nose so she wouldn't smell anything.

"For the twentieth time, it was a Metal Head-well, three Metal Heads I should say."

" Three? THREE! You make it sound like it's a piece of cake!"

" Because I'm not afraid of them as you are."

Erika glared at him but seemed to let it pass... for now.

Torn walked over to the counter where his brown, duffle bag was and took out a little bottle with a clear liquid in it, a small shot, black thread, and a needle. Torn walked back over to his daughter while Erika gapped at what he had when he placed them on the table." What are you going to do with all that stuff?" she asked while almost yelling at him. The Nodinean just stared at Erika for a moment like what-do-you-think-I'm-going-to-do look before averting his attention back to the bottle and shot that he held in his hands.

"First," the dreadlock Nodinean started as he stuck the needle of the shot on the top of the bottle," I'm going to take this stuff in the bottle in the shot so I can numb my daughter's arm," he said as he took out the shot. Torn pushed some of the liquid out so there is no air bubbles in the shot and stuck it in Kelsey's arm. The girl flinched at the contact of the neede to her skin while trying her best to ignore that it was there. She turned her head to the side so she could look outside of the small, kitchen window.

"Now... we have to wait for the numbing to start. It will only take a few minutes. Then I will sew her up and bandage it," Torn said and took out the shot. He took the needle off, threw it in the trash, picked up the needle for the black thread, and carried it to the sink and washed it with soap, rinsed it off, and dried it with a towel next to him.

"Is it numb yet?" Torn asked.

" I... don't know," the girl answered. Torn walked over to her and took the thread. He made a knot in it so it wouldn't come apart. He started to poke the needle on her skin to test it.

" Does that hurt?" he asked. Kelsey shook her head at this question before Torn started to sew up the holes while hearing Erika gasp a little.

"It doesn't hurt her," Torn told her.

" Well, how do you know?" Erika asked angrily.

"Because I know."

"Sure you do! I bet you had to sew yourself up all the time!"

"Not all the time. Depends how deep the cut is."

"So you do sew yourself up! Well, come on then, show me!"

"I'm a little busy right now Erika so can we talk about this later..."

"Why? I bet you don't even have stitches at all!"

Torn made a knot in the thread when he finished and put everything back in his bag. He took out some bandages and wrapped it around where Kelsey had gotten hurt. "There. Now it will be sore for a few days so be careful with that arm," Torn looked at the clock above the sink before turning back to his daughter." It's past your bedtime already, but you need to take a bath. Go to the bathroom and brush your teeth. I'll go and make a bath in a minute," he said. Kelsey jumped off the table and ran to the bathroom like her father had told her.

"Did you just ignore me?" Erika asked being shocked.

"Yes, I did. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Of course I have a problem with that!"

"Well, I'm sorry. Maybe I ignored you because I had to sew up the holes in my daughter's arm!"

"Well, excuse me! You could have at least showed me your stitches."

"All you would see is very faded scars because I haven't gotten hurt the last time I was at Haven City."

"Really? Is it easy not getting hurt over there? Or did you get a promotion or something?"

"Actually, I did get a promotion to Second-in-Command and it is a lot harder then being a Krimson Guard."

"I see...well, where is the money? I need some of that too, you know."

"Money? I'm not giving you shit! Make your own damn money!"

"And how am I going to do that?"

"Oh, geez Erika, I don't know? Maybe you could get a JOB!"

"And what kind of job would I have!"

"Making tapestries, clothes, having a bakery, I don't know!"

"Well, I'm busy so I can't."

"You don't say? Well, what can make you so busy in this village, except doing the laundry?"

"Lots of things!"

"Like what?"

"None of your business!"

Torn sighed." Look. Let's not fight right now. I'm tired and I think your tired too, so let's just get some sleep," Erika did a 'humph' sound and stomped to her room which use to be theirs. She slammed the door behind her.

Torn started to massage his forehead while being stressed out. Why was she so difficult? She never really understood him and probably even their daughter. Well, that was what Torn thought, but he really didn't know if Erika knew her daughter that well or... maybe he didn't know his own daughter that well from being away a lot. He really didn't want to think about it and decided that it was time to go make that bath of hers.

Torn walked through the tiny, living room to a door. He turned the knob of it before opening it up to reveal the bathroom. All that was inside there was a metal tub that could be picked up and placed anywhere if someone felt like it, a huge bowl of cold water with another bowl next to it that had the contents of foam being spit in it, and a cabinet that had a mirror in front. Kelsey had finished brushing her teeth since she was sitting on the floor, waiting.

She looked up to him with the dark, amber eyes of hers before giving him a small smile. He returned the gesture before saying:

" Is there water that has been heated up?"

Kelsey shook her head to give him an answer.

" I see... well, I'll go heat some water up so stay here and I guess try and wash that blood out of your clothes."

Torn went to do this for two trips since the cauldren that held the water was only so big. Plus the fire had to heat the water so it took a while. The Nodinean child did what she was told, but after the first time her father brought in the water and poured it in the metal tub, Kelsey stopped cleaning her clothes.

She stared in the mirror with a ghostly expression painted on her face, her eyes filled with emptiness. It was almost frightened to look at as Kelsey thought of the events that had happened.

All that blood haunted her mind the entire time she came to the house. The horrid memory wouldn't leave her like it was burned in her mind -no, she knew it was burned in her mind, forever. No matter how hard she would try to forget it, she couldn't. Kelsey just couldn't. As she stared at herself through the mirror, she thought for a second it was someone else looking back at her, not herself. With all the blood and dirt covering her face, anyone would have thought the same thing.

Kelsey was startled when her father opened the door and came in. She heard Torn pour the last fill of water in the tub as he waited for his daughter to turn to him. When she did, he said:

"Your bath is done, Kelsey. Go ahead and take one, but make sure to not take long since I have to put you to bed. Also, don't get your bandages wet."

After the Nodinean father said that, he walked out of the bathroom, closing the door after him, and sat on the couch to wait for his daughter to be finish.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Kelsey came out of the bathroom with a towel around her as she walked up the stairs. Torn decided to wait for about ten minutes before heading upstairs. He counted the minutes that were meant to pass by, believing that would be enough for his child to be dressed and in bed already. He stood up, getting off the counch and went to the spiral staricase.

Torn walked up the stairs to the wooden door and creaked it open to peek inside. There, he saw Kelsey sleeping in her bed. Torn walked in and sat on the edge of the bed. "You can open your eyes," he said. Kelsey's long ears twitched as her eyes opened. She sat up in bed.

"How did you know I wasn't asleep?" she asked.

" Your eyes were too tight to be asleep and your breathing wasn't as calm as it should be, but your doing better," he answered.

Kelsey smirked, but it disappeared quickly." Why do you and Mother fight?" she asked. Torn sighed at this question.

"Well, me and your Mother weren't fighting, but more like yelling at each other. We just have our differences," he answered. The girl nodded.

"Hey, I'm proud of you today."

"Of what?"

"Defeating those Metal Heads. How'd you do it?"

Kelsey hesitated at the question as it took her a moment to answer it.

"It just came... natural to me. I didn't really think I could defeat them."

"Well, I did," Torn said. He ruffled her hair and kissed her on top of her head. "Now go to sleep, My Little Warrior," he stood up and went out the door, closing it behind him softly.

Torn flopped on the couch, thinking of his daughter's answer being good or bad at what she said, but was so exhausted and went to sleep instantly without waking up once through the night like he does in Haven City.

Kelsey, though, was still lying in her bed wide-awake. She couldn't go to sleep because something seemed to seep its way in her mind. It was the thought of the dark figure in the woods. What was it? Or who was it she should be asking. The girl knew she had to find out, but if she doesn't then she would just try and ignore it.

If she could...

Four'O clock in the morning in Nodina

Torn slowly opened his eyes that revealed the small, living room he had been sleeping in. He sat up from the couch, stretched his arms and neck before he stood up and walked to the kitchen.

Torn looked in the refrigerator and grabbed a jug of yakkow milk. He wished that he could eat them, but they were the village's only drink supply, except for water.

He took a swing of it and wiped his mouth on his arm then placed it back in the fridge. Torn wanted to ask and tell Chief Leron something today before anyone in the hut woke up and perfect timing, too.

He stepped out of the front door and walked down the dirt road to Chief Leron's hut. It was still dark outside while Torn was walking on the road, wrapping his arms around himself to keep warm. When he got to his desitination, he knocked on the door and waited patiently.

Leron's hut was only one story, but may I say huge. Torn had been in the hut many times- practically lived there, actually. Everyone else in the entire village rarely had a chance to get a peek in it. Most of the Nodineans envied him for having such special treatment from Leron when he was just a child. Some still envy him today for having such a close friendship with their leader. Torn gave no consideration of it, but there were somedays- when he was a child- where he would envy them.

The door in front of him opened and there he saw Chief Leron in a white, night robe. "FOR GOD SAKES! Leave me alone- oh, Torn," Leron seemed startled at the sight in front of him, but only smiled and explained to a confused Torn why he 'raised' his voice at him.

" Forgive me, Torn. I didn't expect it to be you, but those no good pesturing kids who keep on throwing mud at my door and sometimes face... especially Kelsey," he murmured the last part, but Torn heard it. The Nodinean father tried not to smirk at what his leader just told him, no matter how hard it was. Well, what do you know? Like father like daughter, Torn thought.

Leron cleared his throat to get the other's attention, which he got immediately from the warrior. " Well, don't be a stranger, Torn. Please come in, come in," he gestured with his hands.

Torn nodded and stepped in the hut. It was very toasty inside with the fire in the fireplace going as he watched as Leron sat on a chair near the fire and gestured him to sit by him in the other chair." Don't be shy. Sit, sit," Torn walked over to the chair and sat in it. The chair felt very comfortable and puffy when he sat on it." Now what brings you here at this time of the hour?" asked Leron. Torn licked his lips before he answered.

"Well...um... I wanted to tell you that I can't stay here anymore..."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, when I leave to go to Haven City...I won't be coming back here... in Nodina."

"I see... and why do you wish to attend this sort of thing?"

"Because of Erika. I can't stay or sleep in the same hut with her unless we get in an argument or fight. And... the job I got in Haven City. I guess the second one is more of the reason than Erika, really. Since it does deal with the Underground..."

"Well Torn, if that is your decision on that, I... won't stop you. Even if you're like a son to me... But what about your daughter? Have you not put that into consideration in this decision of yours."

"You see... that is another thing I wanted to tell you- ask you, I mean... I want to take Kelsey with me. To live with me in Haven City."

Leron hesitated before he spoke as he started to play with his hands a little.

"Torn... I don't think you should... take her."

"Why not?"

"Well, she is only five years old and she would have to leave her mother and friends behind. Besides, Haven City isn't the best place for a five-year-old girl right now."

"I know, I know... Since Baron Praxis is still looking for that woman that was pregnant with Damas's child...-"

"Yes, and that is why she can't go. It's dangerous there and I have heard that he wants every child there captured and most likely killed!"

"But I'll hide her from him, and keep her safe, and-

"-No Torn. It is dangerous for her to go there. As the leader of Nodina, my job is to protect the people and the generations to come from them as I live, not send them to their death! I know that isn't what you want, Torn. I... know you don't want Kelsey to die the same way your parents did on that unfateful day."

The dreadlocked elf averted his eyes to the ground before saying to Leron in a cold voice he would use only in Haven City, mostly:

" They have nothing to do with what we're talking about."

" I disagree, Torn. You know there is a greater chance she could be killed the same way as they were, especially now. No... I will not allow that to happen to your daughter so you should choose what is best for her and not what is best for you."

Torn brought his gaze up to the elf in front of him and sighed at the "tiny" situation." Your right...it is best if she stays here. Especially when I join the Underground when I get back. The Shadow said with my information about the Baron will be good for me becoming Second-in-Command there, but... if I do join... I wouldn't be able to come back here for a long time and miss Kelsey growing up... and I don't want to miss that," Leron stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. He squeezed it gently.

"It is for the best, Torn. Even if it means you have to miss her growing up... but at least she'll be safe from danger's way." Torn stood up and faced Leron.

"...Thank you... I'll... ah ...be leaving in two weeks at dawn, but before I go, can you promise me something?"

"Anything."

Torn looked Leron straight in his eyes, his expression becoming serious all of the sudden as did his tone of voice when he spoke.

" ...Train her, Leron. Train my daughter to become a great warrior in Nodina as you did the same with me. I... wish it would be me being her teacher, finishing the training I just started with her, but... I must go back to Haven City. The people need me."

The chief just stared at him, his face showing no expression when he gave the Nodinean warrior the only answer he had.

"Of course, Torn. I would be honored to train- no, finish training- the daughter of the greatest warrior from The Five Villages."

Torn didn't even give a hint of relief or joy at the approval given to him. Only a nod to confirm to Leron that he understood before walking over to the front door and opening it. The coldness from the air hit his entire body that he shivered slightly when it touched his pale skin "Wait!" Leron said. The Nodinean father stood still, his back showed to the other. Leron waited for a moment to see if the man that was once a student under his care would turn to him, but came to the conclusion that he wouldn't before saying:

" ...Always remember Torn, she'll always be in your heart where ever you go."

Torn only took a quick glance behind him before walking out of the door and into the morning breeze.

&&&&&

Torn never went anywhere without his daughter before he left. They would both tell each other what had happened during the time they were apart while taking a walk around the village, Kelsey watching her father spar off with the other warriors and amazingly still able to defeat them, and race each other with the leapers they owned (except, only after Kelsey went to school. She goes to school for only five days a week). Sometimes the tattoed elf would practice with her skills she had learned as a training warrior and even got Kelsey her very own knives.

Torn still remembered the shocked look that was plastered on her face when he gave them to her. The same size as his warrior knives, these knives were not as fancy as his nor did they have a gold hilt on them. There were no curves in them also as real warrior knives would have when given to a Nodinean completing his or her training. Since Kelsey was still training to become one, she was not allowed to have warrior knives for herself until completing the training that would take years.

"I made this for you," Kelsey said as it was the last day Torn stayed in Nodina. She gave him a bracelet with beads on it as the color of red, black, blue, yellow, orange, and green in horizontal lines with purple dots decorated in each row of solid color while spaced out like: Dot...Dot...Dot... and so on.

" It's beautiful, Kelsey! Thank you," he thanked her as he put on the bracelet and hugged her with one arm slanged over her shoulders as she leaned in his side when Torn brought her closer. He let her go after a few seconds later.

"I made it for you because you gave me my very own knifes! I hope you like it?"

"Are you kidding? I love it! This will always remind me of you when I go to Haven City tomorrow."

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"Can I come with you?"

Torn averted his eyes away from his daughter for only a second before looking back at her and answered her." You know you can't. I mean, I would love to take you, but it's dangerous there now... you might get hurt," Kelsey nodded.

" I understand, but when you come home next time, you'll take me, right?" she asked.

In his heart, Torn felt a stinging pain like a needle that has just been in fire. Next time? He knew there probably wasn't gong to be a next time, but he hoped there was as he forced himself to give away a small smile. "Next time, you can come with me. I promise," Kelsey gave off a huge smile and surprisingly hugged her father, who hugged her back with a fake smile on his face. " Thank you! You're the best father that anyone should have!" She squealed before letting go of Torn, who only felt more guilty inside himself.

" Now let's race each other with our leapers!" exclaimed the girl.

Torn nodded and they went to get their leapers at the corral they had that was behind their hut. As they chosen the two leapers they were going to use, Kelsey and Torn jumped over "obstacles" (a.k.a. fences, cats, dogs and people) and ran by people or ran over them, but only once with their leapers ( which they got a few yells at and a very rude, profantiy word that one Nodinean said, who Torn flipped off when his daughter wasn't watching), the two were getting very tired, as it was dusk already.

Kelsey halted her green leaper, Tama, in front of their hut where her father was there waiting with his red leaper, Faria, for her," Man!" she said as she climbed off her leaper. "You beat me again!" Torn smirked at this.

" I always do."

"Yeah, but you have Faria and she's the fastest running leaper we have out of our other leapers."

"True, but Tama is still pretty fast."

"Well, not fast enough, but at least you didn't sell her or Faria."

"Sometimes I wish I did sell Faria. A red leaper is very rare to find these days, you know. People will pay a lot of money to have her."

"But you didn't."

"No, I didn't because she was the only red in the litter. Besides, Faria is very fond of you."

"So are the other leapers."

"Not like Faria. She's only fond of you and me. Unlike the others who are fond of everyone."

Torn got off of his leaper and grabbed her reins." Come on, let's put these two up," Kelsey nodded and grabbed Tama's reins. The two put up their leapers in the corral and went inside.

"Man! I'm so hungry! I wish we had some fish."

"You know fish isn't easy to catch or get. Our village only gets about sixty fish a month and that isn't a lot, but..."

"But what?"

"I did get a fish earlier this morning. It isn't big, but it will fill both of our stomachs a little."

"No way! Can we eat it right now?"

"I have to cook it first, stupid."

"Hey! Don't call me stupid, stupid!"

They both started to laugh at the comment before they got ready for dinner.

After Dinner

"That was some good fish!"

"No kidding. I haven't had fish in a long time."

"Yep." The Nodinean girl suddenly yawned outloud.

"I think it's time for you to go to bed, Kelsey."

"But it's only nine."

"It's almost eleven! We were talking more then eating and I've kept you up longer then I wanted. Now go to bed."

"Fine..." sighed Kelsey as she walked up to her room. She didn't feel like changing, being tired already, and just went to bed in her clothes ( which were the same ones that had blood all over them until Kelsey washed them when she woke up.) The warmth from the blankets made her relax more as she curled up.

A few minutes later, she heard her door open and footsteps approaching her. She knew it was her father who walked in. He always does every night as she felt him kiss her on the head and heard him say goodnight before he walked out of her room, shutting the door behind him.

Torn started to pack his things in his brown, duffle bag and changed into his uniform. He didn't want to wear his armor so he just kept it in his bag. Walking over to a drawer, he took out a piece of paper and pencil.

He sat at the table and started to write. It took him an hour to write what he needed to because he wanted to make sure the person he was writing to understood what he was saying, and because he was remembering everything that had happened while he was there.

After he proofread it, Torn threw his duffle bag on his back and walked up the stairs to his daughter's room and placed it on her desk. He knew she would find it. Considering that it was the only thing on her desk. He walked over to Kelsey and stroked her hair that began to get very weavy. It always does every night.

He watched her sleep peacefully as she dreamt. Wishing that he could take her with him, but couldn't because he always had the picture of the Baron killing her with his cold, bare hands which made him have a chill go up his spine as he thought of that.

"Goodbye, My Little Warrior."

Torn kissed her on the top of her head then stood up and walked out of her room for the last time.

As he went out of his daughter's room, heading for the front door, and stepping into the morning's breeze, he started walking to where he would be picked up. Dawn was appoarching so he knew it would be soon.

Back to his Daughter's room

Kelsey stirred in her sleep a few minutes later after her father left her room. She slowly opened her eyes from something bugging her. Not like an itch, but more like something she had to do; something important she had to do.

She flipped over on her other side and was about to go back to sleep when she spotted something on her desk. Weird? she thought and got out of bed to walk over to it.

She saw that it was a piece of paper folded on her desk. Kelsey picked it up and unfolded it. It was a letter from her father as she scanned it over and gasped.

The paper she held slid out of her hand and fell to the ground like a leaf. Kelsey couldn't believe what it told her. She turned around towards her window and saw only colors in the sky and not the sun at all." There's still time," she said to herself as she ran out of her room while still seeing the words in her mind.

Kelsey,

I know your not use to getting letters from me, but there's a reason I am writing this to you.

The girl ran out of the front door and down the dirt road. Praying to God that he hasn't left.

I won't be coming back to Nodina. You might be thinking for only a couple of months, but I'm not. I won't be returning there for years probably because... well, let's just say for many reasons.

She ran through the village to get to the hill where on the other side was her

father.

I wanted to take you with me to Haven City, but you wouldn't be safe with me there. No matter how much I wanted to bring you with me, to stay with me, I had to think of what was best for you so I decided that you should stay in Nodina where you would be safe.

I went to Chief Leron last week and asked him if he would continue your training for me since I am unable to now. I hope you won't be angry at me with this decision, but it is the only way if you wish to be a warrior. Besides, if he was able to train me into the "greatest warrior of all The Five Villages" as everyone puts it, then I know he'll train you well. So please be good for your first training session with him and the other boys that are his students, which sadly is every boy in the village whose father isn't a Long- Knive fighter. Remember, it starts thirty minutes after school and 1:00 p.m. on weekends.

Kelsey started to run up the hill while being out of breath from the lack of oxygen and rest, but she didn't care how much it hurt her. She just kept on running, determined to get to him.

I'm sorry that you have to read this letter. I may never see you again, but I hope I'm wrong. I won't even see you grow up and I wish I would be there for you when you need me, but I won't.

Just remember that I love you with all my heart, My Little Warrior, and I will always be with you wherever you go. I guess this is it. I'm sorry for leaving you like this. Goodbye.

Sincerely,

Your Father, Torn

The child made it to the top of the hill and saw her father about to walk in the transporter.

"FATHER!"

Torn turned his head to where he heard the callling of his name and saw his daughter running to him. The Nodinean warrior was shock at what he saw before realizing she had ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him. He did the same thing. " Kelsey! Why are you here?"

"I don't want you to go!"

"I have no choice. You wouldn't understand why I have to leave."

"I would if you just tell me! Take me with you so you can tell! I don't want you to go, Father!"

"Kelsey..."

Torn made her face him and saw her eyes filled with tears. It broke his heart seeing her like this. This is why he didn't want to tell her to her face because he would see her like this; because he would make her sad. He would make her cry and he didn't want to do that.

"I can't take you with me or you'll be in dangered and I won't take the risk of getting you killed."

He rocked her back and forth in his arms, feeling tears prick at the edge of his eyes, but making sure they wouldn't come out.

"Never forget to train hard Kelsey so you can become a warrior. No matter what anyone says to you, train to be the best- no, the greatest like every boy and man in The Five Villages want to be. Remember what I taught you, My Little Warrior, but always remember most of all that I love you."

He kissed her on the forehead one last time.

"Goodbye."

Torn let go of his daughter, feeling her slip away from him and turned his back to her. He walked in the red transporter and turned around to see her as the door started to come up.

The last thing he saw from Kelsey was a single tear falling down her face over her cheek. The door closed shut and lifted off the ground to Haven City.

Kelsey saw her father leave as he took that shining star from her. She only let a single tear out and kept the rest in as she swore to herself that she would see him again.

Kelsey knew that she wasn't ready to go, but she would know when the time came as she watched her father leave. She would train harder, become the warrior he said she would be. Then, when the time came, she would reunite them.

Until then, she would just cry silently to herself with no tears falling out of her amber, brown eyes because he left her.

Nine years later...

&&&&&&&&

A/N: I don't think the ending was very sad, but oh well. Anyway, I guess you might be wondering how Torn's parents died and all and probably want me to tell you. Well, sorry. I can't. That's in another story I might make...

Also, if anyone is thinking that this story is just like the video game or following it: Kameo: Elements of Power, then you're wrong. Even if I've never played the game or have the system to play it on, I hate copying other's works.

And besides, I came up with this story line and story TWO years ago. I just wanted to tell you that and to review, ok? Ok! Also if you haven't reviewed, can you please review? If not, that's okay. Well, see ya!

The Sacred Heart 2