''Tomorrow?'' Chief Raius couldn't help but laugh. ''Who do you think you are? Some savior who could turn the world upside-down with a snap of a finger? How do you expect to bring down Hearth, an enemy that even the Triad is having a hard time with? Could you erase a three hundred year-old company tomorrow? Could you?''Believe it or not.'' Ryder was offended. Earlier, his face held high reverence for the chief. Now, Ryder's voice was plain and he was looking at the chief at eye level without bowing or nodding, unlike earlier. But with the chief's words, it was bound to come to this point. ''I have been in touch with Sir Vance. he said that the preparations are complete. All that's left is for your consent.''Ryder wasn't even addressing him as chief anymore. Jin discerned it then at the moment. The Roar didn't come to be pitied, nor to ask for pity or forgiveness. He didn't come to grovel and take the blame for what happened to Raeya. That was just the surface. That was what he want
Ryder was late--again. "Geez, that guy. We even adjusted the time for him. We're going to proceed if one more minute passes and he's still not here." Hearing their trainor's irritated voice, Raeya's eyes tore away from the horizon as Leison stood and brushed off his dusty clothes. She clenched her fists, not out of anger, but because she was feeling something heavy in her heart again. No, not this time, she scolded herself. A mission was not the time and place to cry. Raeya sucked in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. She had to keep her cool. She slipped on her black leather vest that she was delaying to wear because she wasn’t really ready. Feeling its weight over her maroon shirt, it helped her shift her focus to the mission. The frown on Leison's face made it obvious that he was tired of waiting. It brought out his wrinkles that were deepening with each mission that they received. Although being in your late forties was already considered pretty old in their line of b
Ryder dropped by as usual. The old house hadn't changed for the past twelve months that he had been visiting. Still half-broken, still half-burnt. He twisted the door knob but the hinges creaked so loudly it finally gave up. The door just fell to the floor with a sickening thud. Aegis had been insisting the government for repairs but all they got were empty promises. Instead, they were provided a large house and property on the cliffs near the desert. The government said that the place was hard to reach and so it was perfect for a base but Ryder knew better. They just want us to be near them in case they get attacked by the rebels. Their new house wasn't bad. It was spacious and was filled with exotic furniture as their reward from the last war but for Ryder, it felt too empty. There was no longer a garden that sprouted happy memories of their fallen friends. There was already no one to cook Ngooka stew every Monday. Even their training sessions---their only time of bonding with
At least Raeya’s attacks were cutting through. She thought the fight was in her favor since the Shadows were attacking in clusters. Whenever she fights them in groups, it was easier for her because she could wipe them all at once. It was her own way of conserving energy since unlike the others, she had no limitless stamina. Her own body was her weakness. Despite coming from a renowned warrior clan, Raeya was sickly from the day that she was born. She bled easily, got frequent allergies, couldn’t carry the normal weight of their clan’s sword until just recently, and was always at the last of the line during hiking or training. Still, all these didn’t stop her to become a full-fledged soldier of Aegis which she was proving to herself at the moment. After being hopeless in the last battle, she had this urge to redeem herself that she wasn’t wrong in choosing her path. For five or more minutes, it was going great. She felt like a whirlwind, twirling her bike as she decimated the Shadows
Ryder had Raeya's left hand. She was not yet awake and neither was Leison in the other room. Their light was the lampshade on top of the bedside table. It was a good thing the second house that the government gave to them included a good infirmary. They could treat themselves here with ease and minimal supervision from the eyes of the people. If they were in a hospital right now, the outside of their room would be full of the media and wary eyes. It was what Ryder hated because no one was there when Aegis is doing their job but when they are in their weak times, all lights are suddenly upon them. It’s part of the glory and honor of being a soldier of Khenealm, Fhae often said. There, he stared at their sigils for a while. The crooked dagger on his and the black flame on hers. It meant they were under a Khenealm Contract, the one thing that always fascinates the outsiders whenever they set their foot into the land. Khenealm people, even those who were not soldiers or didn’t undergo
As what Raeya expected, Jin was always waiting. They were both standing on the white void, just like earlier when Raeya was about to be eaten. This power of his was something–a true gift of the Shore that only he possessed. There were others who could also open this dimension but that was all they could do. Jin was the only known one who could use it as a different solid space and include other people. "You okay now?" Jin asked. Raeya smiled slightly and nodded. To think that he still worried about her just as a true friend would after all these years, Raeya was feeling unworthy. He had been that way since they were kids. He was her original protector, assigned to her by tradition, the ancients, and the clan. She wasn’t sure how the selection process was, but one factor was because they were close in age. Jin was just a year older than her. His physique might have changed but his attitude never did. Until now, even in her sleep, he always found ways to communicate. Sweet. "Yeah, I
Breakfast that morning was a good one. Ryder was having his favorite dark brown Khenealm coffee which had the same color of his hair, making him love it more. Seyin was back to his old self. It was like nothing happened last night. He teased, laughed, and forked everyone's food with Keyanne the only exception as she was so cautious. Rhed was pitiful since he just stays quiet no matter how many times Seyin got food from him. Aura and Nique were chit chatting and they growled in unison every time Seyin attempted. Deep within his dull expression, Ryder was smiling. How could he not? He was home. The usual buzz at the breakfast table warmed his heart and he was sure that it was not just because he was drinking coffee. Having something to return despite what the war has done to them was something that he was thankful for the heavens for. Ryder was so focused on the past that he occasionally forgot that he still had a present family. He should treat them with something. They haven’t b
Their challenge brought them out to the front yard. "You look surprised," Seyin said in between his rugged breathing. "Were you underestimating me all these years?" It hurts to admit but yes. As far as Ryder knows, Seyin just loved to play. He would do tricks that would embarrass his opponent. He would tickle, strip clothes, put on really scary masks, threaten to spill out funny secrets and many others. But now with Ryder holding on to the fence for support, he couldn't believe that he was having a decent challenge with the same happy-go-lucky guy. His friend's weakness was hand to hand combat but the pain in his gut proved that Seyin was still training. Ryder straightened himself with a silent grunt and flexed his wrists. What would Fhae say to him if he was wincing over a little kick? "Yeah. You've never been this fired up." Ryder clenched his fists, adrenaline rushing in his veins. "But I hope you don't forget–my title is not just for show." Ryder ran towards him and let out
''Tomorrow?'' Chief Raius couldn't help but laugh. ''Who do you think you are? Some savior who could turn the world upside-down with a snap of a finger? How do you expect to bring down Hearth, an enemy that even the Triad is having a hard time with? Could you erase a three hundred year-old company tomorrow? Could you?''Believe it or not.'' Ryder was offended. Earlier, his face held high reverence for the chief. Now, Ryder's voice was plain and he was looking at the chief at eye level without bowing or nodding, unlike earlier. But with the chief's words, it was bound to come to this point. ''I have been in touch with Sir Vance. he said that the preparations are complete. All that's left is for your consent.''Ryder wasn't even addressing him as chief anymore. Jin discerned it then at the moment. The Roar didn't come to be pitied, nor to ask for pity or forgiveness. He didn't come to grovel and take the blame for what happened to Raeya. That was just the surface. That was what he want
''You can't kill me'', Raeya blurted amidst their wrestling.His strength was overwhelming her and her muscles were becoming sore and overpowered by him. She had to do something. She had to find a good spot that she could use to break free.''Oh? How sure are you? Don't tell me its because you believe that I still love you.''No, she didn't believe that. Seyin was the second to confess his love to her after Jin. She was the one in-charge of handling new applicants to Aegis when Seyin entered the hall where they would be taking the Shore test. She was assisting Fhae in conducting the tests that would determine if the applicants had the potential to harness the power of the Shore.Instead of asking about anything significant about the test at that time, Seyin stood and boldly asked her out, embarrassing both of them at that moment. After that, she kindly but firmly said her no. Seyin cried in front of her but in the end, she offered what she could–friendship. Until now, she didn’t know
''Tomorrow?'' Chief Raius couldn't help but laugh. ''Who do you think you are? Some savior who could turn the world upside-down with a snap of a finger? How do you expect to bring down Hearth, an enemy that even the Triad is having a hard time with? Could you erase a three hundred year-old company tomorrow? Could you?''Believe it or not.'' Ryder was offended. Earlier, his face held high reverence for the chief. Now, Ryder's voice was plain and he was looking at the chief at eye level without bowing or nodding, unlike earlier. But with the chief's words, it was bound to come to this point. ''I have been in touch with Sir Vance. he said that the preparations are complete. All that's left is for your consent.''Ryder wasn't even addressing him as chief anymore. Jin discerned it then at the moment. The Roar didn't come to be pitied, nor to ask for pity or forgiveness. He didn't come to grovel and take the blame for what happened to Raeya. That was just the surface. That was what he want
''You can't kill me'', Raeya blurted amidst their wrestling. His strength was overwhelming her and her muscles were becoming sore and overpowered by him. She had to do something. She had to find a good spot that she could use to break free. ''Oh? How sure are you? Don't tell me its because you believe that I still love you.'' No, she didn't believe that. Seyin was the second to confess his love to her after Jin. She was the one in-charge of handling new applicants to Aegis when Seyin entered the hall where they would be taking the Shore test. She was assisting Fhae in conducting the tests that would determine if the applicants had the potential to harness the power of the Shore. Instead of asking about anything significant about the test at that time, Seyin stood and boldly asked her out, embarrassing both of them at that moment. After that, she kindly but firmly said her no. Seyin cried in front of her but in the end, she offered what she could–friendship. Until now, she didn’t kn
Jin had a feeling his discussion with Fahazi about leaders going at the forefront jinxed the night.“Go!” He commanded as he pulled Fahazi to his feet and pushed him to get him running. As they ran, Jin looked behind. He could make out nothing because of the darkness but he felt shadows following them. He grabbed Fahazi’s hand and sped across the tunnels. They only had one flashlight. Fahazi must have lost his own light during the explosion.Jin felt something was about to fall on them. He felt dust and debris fall upon his face as they ran. “Fall back, Fahazi!” Both of them were able to stop just in time before the ceiling gave way. If they had advanced one second further, they would have already been buried in a pile of huge blocks of cement and dirt.It didn’t stop there. A slight tremor was felt from above.“This way,” Fahazi suggested as he pointed to one of the tunnels which didn’t seem to be shaking. Jin nodded and they entered the tunnel to their left.“Do you think we can st
Grey wasn't someone who was easily intimidated. Even with Ryder and Leison had him on gunpoint and swordpoint, he still wore the same smug expression.''You're pretty confident this time, Aegis.'' He wasn't fazed at all with the pressure around him. ''Have you finally moved on from your humiliation in our last war?''This position was familiar with the battle at Hearth. Ryder had also cornered Grey in their laboratory. Grey wasn't yet a fighter or a conjurer back then, just a normal scientist who only knew how to wield science and technology. That was why Ryder decided that he wouldn't kill him. He diverted his focus on the Shadows that Hearth released. However, Grey took advantage of Ryder's soft heart back then. He summoned Absinthe and the rest was history.''You're provoking the wrong people. You should be telling that to your bosses,'' Leison answered.''I wouldn't call that a word of provocation. It's just called a taunt.'' Grey was feeling extra powerful now. Was there some rea
If Raeya could recall properly, the men said they were going to answer her questions after they had tied her up but now she was the one tying all of six of them up. It was a good thing she found a rope in one of the toolboxes of the saleslady or else she would have to knock them unconscious every five minutes that they woke up.Raeya pressed the switch and a single dim bulb was brought back to life. Its light was yellowish but it would serve its purpose just for the room to do away with the darkness. She tried calling her friends but she was stumped after realizing that there was no signal. Raeya hoped that Aegis was doing well and that nothing bad happened. Raeya didn’t know why but she was feeling ominous like something big happened. Or was that her overthinking? After securing their hands, she dragged them into the corner and made their backs lean on the wall, away from any object that they could grab and free themselves. She was waiting for the leader, the one with a red turban,
''So? Where did you come from? How did you meet with Jaiyo?''Infiltrating the camp was hard enough but questions like these were harder. ''My family of guerillas received your notice. I simply answered your call. Fortunately, the man with a purple headband who led me here and your attendant recommended you to me,'' Lidon answered as they walked the mountain trail.''I see.''She was not to be underestimated, unlike her hired soldiers.Jin and the chief already knew the basic structure of their camp because they flew over them once. He was pretty confident that he could get inside without doing anything not until he saw the entrance.The ones going in and out had some sort of special tattoos on their skin which they were showing to the guards. Jin was at a loss not until he spotted a group. They didn't show any part of their skin but they were accompanied by some sort of leader with a purple headband.It was that leader who let them in. Jin waited for a few nights at most before spot
Lidon was still wary of the guerilla army.He had wrapped his dagger to make them think that he had lowered his guard. But since no one was still attacking them, then it is safe to assume that they are safe for now. They led them through the forest until they reached a hanging bridge. In this time, it was unusual to see a wooden bridge when they were living in the age of development. The bridge was just a collection of blocks of wood bound together by rubber ties and twigs. A river with sharp rocks twenty feet spread below.“Let’s go two at a time or else the bridge will break,” the woman with the golden tooth said. That goes without saying. It was as if the bridge was designed to not welcome visitors.As ancient and old-looking the bridge was, the new guerilla army seemed to have no problem with it. Wayl and the woman went ahead first. It was only the two of them but the bridge swayed so much.“That seems scary,” Maryan whispered beside him.“We can’t do anything about it, can’t we