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
They followed her through the woods, dodging over bushes and rocks. They ran fast, hoping that no Reaper will come in their way.The fear was like an extra energy for Serra. The pain in her legs were gone or she just forgot it as the terror was painful than physical pain. The torch felt warm on her hands.Mira was beside Serra. Ahead of them were the others, running without looking behind, their minds focused.In the distance, Serra heard a faint sound. It wasn't the sound of the angry water of a river but it was like the sound of death and horror.As they drew closer, the sound grew louder and clearer: shouting, crying, wailing, and growling, the sound of misery and torment. Serra's throat felt dry.
They put down gently their injured friends on the stone beds. Mira and Viktor were both unconscious and their chest rose and fell violently, their breaths fast and hard.Sisi on the the other hand sat on Rena's bed, trying to collect herself.Tears continuously ran down on Serra's cheeks. She touched Mira's hand and it was freezing cold. Her wound was nasty and sizzling like an acid was poured into it, black and yellow puss surrounds the cut, and smoke comes out from it like it was burning in an invisible flame. It also smelled like rotten eggs.Serra sat beside Mira, she held her hand and caressed her face, clearing the curly tendrils of hair that crowds her face.Viktor was on his stone bed, tended by Niko. Niko wasn't crying but his face was twisted with pain and worry. Tears s
The wind was thick and cold, sweeping through her. The sun above struggled to peak it's way through sea of thick white clouds. The cold rocks feel hard on Serras feet. She was sitting at the stone bench Niko have made. She's above the cave now overlooking the world: the wide sight of tall trees stretched into the horizon of shadows ,the river below was angrier than ever, the sound of the world was comforting and dangerous.It was a cold afternoon but the emotions swirling inside her, insulated her from feeling the cold. The world was quite and peaceful, but her mind isn't.Serra looked up to the sun and sighed. Her eyes shine brightly as the stars, her gray hair looked like silver ashes in a glowing embers of fire.She felt numb, her head took a momentary breakdown to refresh and reboo
The man has an angelic face. He has firm and beautiful features. His eyes were bright and deep like an ocean. He wore a white and golden silk satin cloth that makes him look divine and the cloth glows in a golden light, adding a magnificent touch to his divinity.His skin was pale white under the bright lights. She reached for the right words to say but it's like her mind was blocked with something solid and she found none. The man exudes life, radiating around him. Serra could feel it. Infact, the whole place was full of life and of hope and of love. She noticed at the back of the man was a pair of wings, it wasn't feathery, it was made with golden flame and it flapped gracefully behind his back. "Come" the man said in his angelic voice, "follow me".
Then Sisi's eyes changed into gray color which startled Serra. They all closed their eyes and Serra did what she's instructed. She recalled the memory. She pictured the beautiful city full of magnificent buildings, the huge building that stood at the center and the small ones that surrounds it, their beautiful designs and details, the marbles and the gold designs, the fields of ethereal plants, the statue, the pastel colored sky, and the crystal clear water.She also pictured Caro and the others like him in their long silky robe in gold and white satin that that glowed in golden light, their bright huge wings that glowed brightly as the sun. She pictured their eerie beautiful faces.It's like she's back in Ether again as the memory felt real. She heard others gasped in surprise and amazement. Serra then open her eyes and Sisi's came back to it's original color, deep blue, beautifu
They carefully put down Sisi on the ground. They were all crying as they gather around her, water dripped down from their bodies.Sisi's eyes were closed, her face was pale and bloodless. Her stomach was bloated, full of river water.Sisi has been with them only for a short period of time yet she was good to them all, friendly and very soft spoken.The wind sweeps through them, cold as a corpse, making Serra shiver. Her wet gray hair looked like silver in the bright sky. The sword felt cold and lonely on her side. Their clothes were wet, their eyes red and puffy from drowning and crying.The world around them fell silent, even the sound of the river and the woods were like muted and all they can hear is the sound of sorrow and grief of their cries.
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