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.
Viktor was now a huge serpent, accommodating another Reaper. Serpent-like versus serpent, slithered body to slithered body. Serra would have enjoyed the sight if it's not a life to death situation. The Reaper hissed and slithered toward Viktor. Viktor dodged, missing the claws. Viktor was clearly no match to the Reaper, the monster has claws and Viktor have none.The Reaper advanced again at him but he quickly ducked and hit the monster with his tail, like a slap.The Reaper staggered and hissed in annoyance. Rena appeared behind the Reaper and stabbed its body but the dagger just bounced off like she's slicing a rubber. The Reaper didn't get wounded at all, nor a scratch. The Reaper turned at her annoyed but she disappeared quickly, ran off towards the tree, beside Sisi.With the Reaper distracted, Viktor advanced and wrapped it's
The shadows of the woods grew darker as the canopies of intersecting branches above thicken like clouds. They were running and everything around them looked like a blur of colours.They could hear the river nearby; they've been following it, hoping that it would lead them to the ruins. The cold wind blew hard on their faces like a slap of a ghost. Their skin shivered but the commotion inside both of them keeps them warm and alive.They were panting and their throats dried from exhaustion but they can't stop now. Serra could still hear the sound of Leni's men chasing them. Serra wanted to cry but she can't bring herself to do it. It's like her tears were terrified as well, scared to come out in this cruel world.They ran and ran without looking back. Rena was beside her, her eyes were g
The grasses grew thicker as they walked farther to the ruins, their eyes wandering at all direction, to check the ruins and to check for Reapers. Pieces of woods scattered everywhere, destroyed remains of wagons glittered on the ground like dusts.They walked forward and something snapped on Serra's feet. They both jumped; startled. They looked down and saw bones, human bones, withered and white scattered on the ground. There were bones and skulls, big and small ones. Serra swallowed and felt her heart twisted in pain.She remembered Niko telling them about the cave near the ruins. She turned to Rena."Do you know where's the cave Niko talked about?" she asked.Rena shook her head. "No" she answered. "I've never been here. Sometimes N
Mira dreamed that she's back in Sirka village. She found herself in their cabin. The familiar smell of the flowers fills her lungs, making her smile. She was sitting down in a hard wooden chair and in front of her was a table with a jar of fresh flowers at the center. Mira recognized the flowers, it is her favorites: roses in pink, red, and white, daisies, and morning glories. They're beautiful and smells so good.There were unwashed dishes that piled up at the sink; the flies enjoyed its feast. There's a boiling pot on the fire and white steam comes out from it. Mira guessed it's boiled potatoes. Her mother, Agatha, loved boiled potatoes and never grew tired of eating it.There are strips and bits of rusty metal on the side near the door. It was her father's, Simon is a blacksmith. He's the one making the patrol's weapons: spears, swor
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
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