Serra grabbed her sword and walked towards the corner, picking the flaming rock on her other hand. Rena followed her from behind, her dagger around her fingers.
"Wow" Rena said as they reached the cavern. She quickly wander around the space.
Serra put the flaming rock above a stone and gazed at Rena who was studiosly looking around. Rena almost screamed at the sight of the skeleton.
"Heavens!" Rena exclaimed, looking at the bones. "Is that-"
"Yes" Serra said. "It is. He died here I guess"
Rena studied it for a moment then dashed towards the water. She took a handful and drank. When she's done, she looked around again, her dark eyes gleamed in wonder.
The crowd was very loud; everyone were cheering and shouting but Mira can't hear the noise as her mind was focused on Haris. Her breathing fasten and her heart raced inside her chest. It was all she could see: Haris standing at the center of the arena, looking scared and lonely. Mira's mind seemed to blow in pieces."He is alive" she whispered with a cry.There was twenty of them. There were girls and boys of different ages. Haris still wore the same cloth he wore the day he left the village: a brown shirt but it looked ragged now and a pants.Haris didn't changed that much since she last saw him in the village. The same handsome face, thick brows, curly brown hair, and hard lean body. He was still gorgeous as ever. But there's something odd in his expression that wasn't there before.
Haris, the tall man and another two man were the only ones left alive. Haris was still at the corner, unnoticed, and the two man was fighting hand on hand, weaponless. Both were exhausted but still fighting. The tall man siezed the opportunity and advanced to them. He dashed towards them and swung hard his mace. The two man were sent flying and landed on the ground with a cry. They groaned in pain just as the tall man finished them by smashing their heads with the mace. Haris closed her eyes as he cannot bear to look at the head of the two man turned into a pulp.The crowd burst into cheering and applause. The tall man dropped his mace and roared in happiness as he assumed that he's the winner. The audience laughed at him and pointed at Haris who stood up and slowly took small steps towards the center.Haris was shaking. His nerves were
"Is that even edible?" Rena said."Yup. That's what I eat when I was here alone at the woods".Rena didn't answer and touched the dagger on her waist to check if it's still there.She then started to climb, flinging herself from one branch to another. Serra stared at her in awe as she climbed the tree with such speed and expertise."Wow" Serra exclaimed, her eyes following Rena. "How did you learn to climb like that"Rena looked down to her and picked a fruit then dropped it to Serra. "Practice" Rena said.Rena picked another and another and dropped them all to the ground. Serra gathered it all up and pooled it together. Moment after, Rena made her way down and jumped halfway fr
"Keep your eyes open" Rena said, looking around their surroundings. "We're near Nagili village and Leni's men are scattered in these woods".Serra nodded and followed Rena. They make quiet steps and walked under the starry sky. The sun already sets and the moon above shone bright along with the stars that looked like fireflies in the night sky. There were no clouds tonight and the perfect color of the universe compliments the beauty of the moon.They're both exhausted as they walked all day. After they killed the Reaper at the cave, they spent the night there and in the morning they walked immediately, no time to waste. Time is luxury when death is at your tail.Serra was behind Rena and was watching their back. Rena knew these woods well and she was right, Serra could smell the famili
It took them an hour to reached the back of the village safely. They moved quietly under the shades of the shadows of the tree. Fortunately, they made it safe and the watchers didn't catch them. They also didn't meet any of Leni's men or Reapers on their way, just that bird-transforming Badblood.The back of the Nagili village was thick with trees and the shadows there are more dark and cold. In the distance, Serra could see a glimpse of the Lake Tibor. Its water sparked in the moonlight. It is beautiful.The walls stood tall and high in front of them. There were no towers in here, just the torches lined above the wall. They quickly ran towards it and stopped."Okay" Rena said, panting. "We will find that hole. Niko covered it with a pile rocks".
Serra dashed to her and hugged Mira with the bars between them. Mira's familiar touch embraced her skin, sending fire of comfort to her heart. It's like all the baggage she's been carrying in her heart after they got separated on the woods vanished like a snap.Their arms wrapped together tight, ignoring the cold metal bars between them. The sisterly love that flows both of them warmed up their hearts, giving strength to each other."Oh my god" Serra cried after they broke off. She touched Mira's damp rosy cheeks and wiped the tears with her fingers. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"."I'm fine" Mira said. "We're fine".Then Niko and Viktor appeared behind Mira, looking thin and exhausted. They've been only away for days yet the feeling was like years.
The Badblood kids were now out of sight. The fighting in the distance was still on and the loud cheering of"Slit his throat! Slit his throat!"fills the air. Luckily, no one is wandering near the prison. Rena looked to them both."Go now!" she said.Serra stepped out from the shadows and ran quickly towards the back of the arena. Her eyes were fixed on the ground while her mind was chanting the words'please don't see me, please don't see me".She hid the blade on her side, her fingers tightly wrapped around the hilt.When she was near on the pile of logs, she ran fast and quickly hid there. She stopped as she remembers the two guys having sex earlier.Mira appeared on Serra's b
"Watch out!" Serra shouts.The arrows hit no one but the lonely ground.Daren halted and bent down, picking up a huge rock. Suddenly, his skin started to change. Spiky solid gray matter clumped up on his skin like a protective layer and enveloped him fully. A moment after, he was like a huge moving rock. His shirt was torn and helplessly clinged on to his hard body.Daren charged and throw the rock to the winged Badblood above. The Badblood didn't see the rock and it landed on his chest. He moaned in excruciating pain and fell down to the ground, head first.Another arrow flew into Daren's chest but it only broke as it reached Daren's rocky skin. Daren bent down again and picked up a rock and throw it to the Badblood. The Badblood saw
Serra was to shocked and confused to move. Her eyes were still on the woods. Something struck on her heart, stirring up her thoughts.Then Serra turned around and saw the aftermath of the battle. The ground was bloody and smelled of blood and guts. Dead bodies were scattered around like a debris: decapitated heads, arms, and legs. Entrails were pulled out like ropes and weapons littered around.She flew and landed on Rila's body. Her wings vanished and her sword stopped burning. She dropped it cupped Rila's bloody face. She could feel no drop of life left on her sister. She's dead.She cried and remembered what she said the night before.No matter what happens tomorrow, know that I love you.
"We meet again boy." Roque's eyes gleamed in amusement seeing Haris's struggle.Haris tried to kick free but the giant was holding him by the neck."Let go of me." He choked out the words.The giant only laughed. Bits of stinky saliva sprayed on Haris's face. His breathed smelled like rotten eggs and mud. There is truly no single thing that is pleasant on the giant. Not even a speck."Haris!" Serra ran her way to the giant, slashing her sword to Reapers and Badbloods, and dodging attacks.Mira also dashed towards Roque. She screamed and halted when she felt a searing pain on her arm. She looked at her arm and saw a deep wound. Black blood poured out from it and it was fuming with bla
The gates closed behind her and Mira found herself in the sea of hopeless eyes. It's like they all accepted that they will die today. But on the bright side, the injured were now fine including Kebin.Everyone was silent. Only the shrieks of the monsters and the sound of incoming footsteps outside the gates can be heard. All eyes were on Serra who looked so exhausted."What do we do now chosen one?" Kebin said.Serra was back to herself and looked at them all.Idon't know. She wanted to say.I failed. I brought you all to your deaths. I'm sorry."We fight." She tried to sound firm but her lips were trembling as she said those words. "I will be very happy
They were all petrified looking in horror at the Reapers. It's like the whole world paused for a second.The whole woods looked like burning from the smoke that comes out from their long sleek bodies. Their teeth were nasty and they looked hungry as ever. Their eyes were crimson as blood and their sharp claws ready to cut them into pieces.Serra's mind seemed to blow apart. Her head hurts and her sword suddenly became warm in her palms. She found her voice after a moment."What is happening?" Serra said, terrified. "Why are the Reapers helping them? Why aren't they attacking them?""I don't know." Sisi only whispered in horror.This wasn't she expect. The mystery danced on her mind. She tried with great effort to not think about
The waters was still quiet as ever. Fishes swam below freely, unaware of what's going to happen in the next day. Lucky for them, she thought, they will not witness the cruelty of the world.The riverbank was a bit grassy now. There's thick bushes that grew around and will conceal you if you sat on the ground.Serra was sitting right on their favorite spot. She closed her eyes, enjoying the familiar cool shade of the tree.She opened her eyes when she heard footsteps coming. She turned and saw Mira. Surprised, she gather herself up and stared at her friend. Mira also looked at her for a moment then looked away. She settled on the ground, feet's away from her and stared into the waters.Serra just stared at Mira. Her skin itched with the urge to come near to her and hugged her
Serra was walking to the river where they bury the body of her mother. One of Maria's close friend before told her that she was given a proper burial and it was Rila who demanded it to the captain.She passed the fields. The carrots were looking good and green, the berries were healthy, and to Serra's surprise, they have grown corns just beside the tea farm. Her mouth twitched into a smile looking at the fields. She shared countless memories with Mira in these fields and all those felt like a long time a go now. She missed Mira so much.Then she reached the river. There still stood the tree, green and tall, branching up to the sky. It's branches sways in the wind like a hand waving at her, welcoming her home. Beside the tree was a rock sitting upward and her mother's name was written on it in a black dye. Serra walked towards it.
"Captain" Serra greeted and bowed. Captain Felhelt stared at her. "We don't need aid" he said immediately. "We can handle them." "You can't" Haris interrupted as he makes his way to the front. Everyone gasped in surprise. "You don't know what's coming to you." Haris paused and took a deep breath. "I have seen it in my eyes. I have been imprisoned there and witnessed their cruelty. They will not stop until this village turn into ashes." There was a cry from the back and a woman pushed her way forward. "Oh heavens! You're alive." Haris's mother dashed to him and hugged him.Haris also cried and hugged her mother tightly. The
It wasn't the look she remembers when she left Sirka village. The memory plays on Serra's mind: Maria falling to her knees and behind her was Rila holding a bow with deep angry eyes.And now she's standing again in the gates, looking directly into her sister's eyes.Rila is still as beautiful as before but something is different from her, something Serra couldn't fathom. Her expression lighten and she's clearly surprised to see Serra.Is she happy to see her? Has she changed?Serra wanted badly to think of that but the painful memory fills her heart.They were staring at each other for a minute before Rila spoke and looked away."Go away or we will shoot again!" Rila announced. Her voice was strong and full of authority.
The travel was rough as the road. On the first light, they already met a dozen of Reapers but Gwyn got rid of them with her arrows whose tips were melted from heavenly fire.The wagons forms a long line like a train. Inside was a small lamp that gives enough light for everyone inside to see.The sound of the wheels against the ground was somehow pleasing to hear. Serra find comfort on the sound of crickets, the wind gushing on the tree branches, the squeaks of the birds, and the whispers of the lost souls in the woods.Nysel would sometimes go out and fly, constantly checking the perimeter. She would fly down and alert everyone if a Reaper was seen in the distance.On the first day of travel, Serra was silent. She sat beside Sisi and stared whole day at the wagon floor. But her mi