Questions boiled up inside Serra's mind making her head felt like cracked in pain. Why did the Reapers run? Are they afraid of the light? Of Maria's power? It doesn't make sense since fire can only scare them. The Reapers will not just leave without killing everyone.
But the greater question that really bothers her was her blood. She stared at her wounded wrist and golden blood poured out from it, dripping into her fingers and to the ground. It's smell was the same: metallic and pungent.
Why is her blood gold? Was it her blood? Of course it is hers. Reapers don't bleed on any weapons forged in the earth. It must be hers. But why it is golden and not scarlet? She had countless cuts and wound in all her life, all over her body and she bleed scarlet red blood, not until now.The thoughts were painfu
She dashed toward her mother. Her heart heavy as her feet. But she was only a few steps when she heard a buzzing sound past her ear. She stopped and saw an arrow landed just beside her. Another arrow flew and landed near her feet. Then another and it was coming at her, Serra took a step back and the arrow hit the ground where she was standing earlier. Several arrows now flying in the air like deadly birds. Serra turned and ran. She picked up the torch, match and the canister, then dashed towards the woods, leaving her mother behind with a heavy heart. She ran deep into the woods. Tears running on her cheeks and the image of her mother - kneeling on the ground with an arrow on its back - floats in her mind that continuously sends a kick of excruciating pain in her heart. She don't know if it's pain anymore, it's painful than pain itself. It's like she's being killed inside, drowning and
Serra flinched as she saw the Reaper below. It's tail wiggled on its back, its bone-like fingers extends to razor sharp claws, and the shadows that comes out of it's body sent shivers to Serra's spine, making her tremble.The monster was right below her, on the tree where she was. It was hissing, moving her head sideways as if like searching for a prey to devour.She silently reached for the match on her pocket and reached on her back for her torch but it's not there. She then remembered putting it on the flat part of the branch but it's not there too. She looked down and saw it lying dead cold near the Reaper's tail.She gasped and put her hand on her mouth. Her heart racing, fluttering inside her chest. She held her breath, afraid to make a sound. Her head blew up with thoughts.
The Reaper slowly slithered toward her as if like teasing her, hissing and baring it's teeth. Serra shakily lit the torch but it doesn't burn. The cold must have dampen the tip. She quickly opened the oil canister and poured the contents generously on the tip of the torch, sending a strong smell of gasoline in the air. She lit the torch again and it burns brightly and violently, devouring the tip with red hot flame.She tucked the canister into her hips and pocketed the match. She then stood up, bringing the torch forward. The Reaper stopped in the distance, wiggling it's tail and body. It's red eyes locked on Serra and it's claws glints in the sun. The Reaper hissed looking at the fire. The smoke that's coming out of its body looked like the smoke in her torch. She felt a lump in her throat and swallowed.I think this is how I die, she thought. The torch won't burn forever and prot
Serra woke up on the familiar touch on her skin. A touch that felt like home, sending sparks and fire to her nerves. Her head hurts and her face burning in pain.She groaned."She's awake!" a familiar voice exclaimed.Her heart felt like twisted. Am I dead? Why am I hearing her voice?Her eyes still closed. She don't have the energy to open it and welcome the world, but she was conscious on the hubbub of soft noises, of murmurs and breathing.She felt a hand gently caressing her skin, clearing her face. The hand was familiarly rough and calloused but the touch was gentle. She grew up touching that hand; she used to held it as she run.She groaned then gently opened her eyes and
Mira sat on the ground just below the opening above the cave where a ray of light pierced through the room. She pulled out something from her pocket that looked like a seed, oblong and dark. "They taught me how to control my ability" Mira started.She dug a shallow depression on the ground and put the seed then covered it with dirt.Serra just stood there and followed Mira by her eyes as she stood up and headed to the water reservoir and came back with a handful of water, her two hands cupped together. Mira brought the water down where she buried the seed and sat back down."Now watch" she said excitedly.Mira touched the ground, her eyes focused.Serra couched and stared on the wet dirt. She didn't blink, afraid to miss whatever is about to happen.For a moment, there's nothing happened and then the dirt started to shook and broke at the surface. Serra gasped as a little green leaf rose up to the surface. A sprout.Serra's eyes widen in
Niko came closer to her and held his hand out. She took it willingly and stood up.Niko touched the wall where she was leaning earlier and the wall shook, like there was an earthquake. Dust filled the cold air.Huge rocks protruded on the wall and formed into a stair, ascending towards the top of the cave."Ladies first" Niko said.She realized she's still holding he's hand and released it in shame. She was blushing.She took the steps first and Niko was behind her.Serra carefully took one step at a time while leaning on the wall to avoid herself from falling. The top of the cave was quite high and it took them a couple of minutes with careful steps to reach the top.Serra felt her heart fallen on the beauty of the view above. The woods stretched below her eyes, dark and gray under the moonlight. The river snaked below her and looked like a white line that stretched form north to south, it's angry water still audible up above. The moon s
Village of DamaccSisi bent down and fueled the hot coals with cut dried branches of tress. She blew, releasing air into the red embers and the twigs was immediately consumed by fire. She then put the pot of water above the flame. Their cabin smelled like smoke and dust.She stepped back and tied her long brown hair in a ponytail, tendrils escaping and hanged on her side. She prepared the cup and the coffee grounds on the table.Sisi was preparing her father's coffee. He will be out today for trade on the north. Her father Aiu was on the carriages, loading the goods to be traded. Her mother Fayiena was early on her laundry at the well. She's the only daughter of her parents.While waiting for the water to boil, she sweeped the dirt an
They all stopped, scanning the surroundings. In the distance, Serra saw something moved.Reaper.They all dropped to the ground and rolled towards a huge tree. Their bodies stiffened and tensed. Serra swallowed her panic and stilled herself. She could feel Mira beside her shaking.Mira haven't seen a Reaper before and the terror of looking at the monster for the first time was painted on her face: wide eyes, shaking lips, and pale face like the blood has been drained out from her. She took Mira's hand and looked at her. Mira seemed to calm a little at that.Niko lifted his head a little to have a sight of the monster but the tall grasses hindered his sight and he can't risk to look up more, the Reaper will see him.Mira took her
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