Today, just like any ordinary day, I would help the farmers plant or harvest. So, I walked toward the farm, passing by our neighbors and our supply areas. The supply areas were where the food and drinks were stocked for the whole tribe. Whoever ran out of stocks at home, they could just get them from here. Everything was free to get anything they needed. Some may hoard some food and drinks, but it was not a crime, since we had everything we need and everything was abundant. Anyway, everyone helped out to make some food and drinks for everyone, so it was like we all earned everything we got from the supply areas.
I nodded at some neighbors I met and passed by. They were nice beings. I was glad I was born to this tribe since they embraced me like their own, even though I was only half-breed.
I looked up at the beautiful sky. The temperature was great. The sun wouldn’t usually burn our skin. It was always good for us and the plants and everything. Nonetheless, rain was rare
The man who answered was unknown to me. He was dressed in an elite warrior suit of black and blue. His long sword was hanging on his side. I didn’t let down my guard though. I was still holding Ponpon, ready to pounce just in case. Even though he was no threat, I could not just let my guard down. What if the King sent him to kill me after he killed my mother? Well, I know that I only suspected the King for my mother’s demise. However, I could not just put it to rest that he did not let her children know she was ill at the time. We could have done something. Or we could have been beside her when she was suffering, made her at least comfortable. I had no idea if he did everything he could for our mother then. That is why I so hate the King to the point that I suspect him for killing my mother.“Oh, Luick! What are you doing there?” I heard Zelian’s deep voice behind me. I whirled around to look at him. He knew this elite warrior?“Luick?” I echoed and
I swallowed hard. I did not want to accept my father’s words. But I knew that I had to, whether I liked it or not. The stranger’s face unexpectedly appeared in my reverie all of a sudden. My brows furrowed. It was because my father could see him in my thoughts, too. Everything from reality to my deepest dreams and desires, my father could see it. Nothing could be hidden from him. And I wasn’t wrong. My father smiled knowingly at me. His blue lips were torn from ear to ear. He was giving me that teasing look now, which made my cheeks go red.“Now, that unique being is quite interesting, my daughter,” he remarked.“Oh, Father! He just annoys me…” I frowned at him. Frustration was written all over my face.“You’re still in self-denial but I understand.” He smiled at me knowingly, still. I hated that smile of his. I couldn’t wipe it off from his face!Yes, I really I hated it when he does that. It was so unfair! My father knew everything that I didn
“You know? I just figured it out. You have that special skill called dagus to hide your aura and your presence. I must say you’re a powerful Aryan, stranger. It’s not like everybody can do it naturally. And I must admit I have trouble doing that myself.” Then, I crossed my arm as I watched him carefully.Tonight, he wore a simple pair of leather pants and sleeveless top, showing his muscular triceps. Overall, he was exhibiting his sexiness in his outfit. Until now, I could not pinpoint where he is from.The stranger sniggered and walked toward me in a predatory manner. However, I was not afraid of him.“So, he’s awesome then?” Ponpon inquired me innocently to the point of stupidity.“Keep silent, Ponpon,” I commanded him, trying hard to not get embarrassed. Ponpon is such a blabbermouth! Maybe it is because he has no brain! He sighed and did what I told him to. I was still looking at this strange being and tried to keep my hear
I was busy analyzing his action. Right. It was my first kiss after all!Why did he kiss me for powerful beings’ sake? Why? And then he ran afterward like that like a coward—or something?That was beyond… disconcerting! I should have come after him and give him a lesson or two. Maybe a punch in the nose would suffice at least! But there I was. I was just… still, processing more what just happened some moments ago.I always thought that when another being’s lips touched with mine it would be disgusting and horrible. But, no. With him, it was quite… wonderful! And my heart was jumping excitedly until now. It was insane. I could even feel the rush of my blood that traveled my entire body. I was not sure how many miles per dot though. I could not measure it.“Wow! That made you motionless, emotionless and… something… more… less,” Ponpon said with a mocking tone. But he sighed afterward. His red eyes were also bewildered by the stranger’s action.I swallowed
I was in my room and I stared at the two guabula flowers that were sitting on top of a marble nightstand beside my bed. Ponpon was beside the flowers, staring at them thoughtfully as well. Yes, as if he had a brain in his metallic head.I lay down with my arms crossed under my head. I crossed my ankles and looked up at the marble ceiling. My bed was soft, which was made up of preserved flower petals and foamy materials that were wrapped with silky cloth. It had a nice smell and comfortable.I closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep. However, that stranger’s words came back to me. I wondered how bad the recruitment could get in the morrow.“You just keep this and bring it with you tomorrow. I’m sure that this will help.”***The sun wasn’t on the horizon yet but I was already up. I put on my fighting suit of black and red color, almost the same shade as my father’s uniform but of different design. It was stretchable and
“Xerra, that way to register,” Daraton told me with a gesture of his hand.I nodded and followed him. My sister went with Zulika, Oleifa, and the others from our tribe. Five of my fellow Aigleans came with me to register our names for the recruitment. There was already a long line when we got there.The white-haired being who was about in his hundreds looked at me when it was my turn. He turned to the grave-looking being who stood behind him. He wore an army uniform and judging by the authoritative way he carried himself, I knew he was a high-ranking official. I looked at the standing lapel of his uniform and I was right. He was the general of the Elite Aryan Army—General Isoog from what I heard was his name. I never thought that I’d meet him at this early stage of the Banatan. Then, our eyes met. I almost saw the recognition reflected in his eyes but it faded right away. He hid his emotion well. I didn’t even think about probing into his thoughts as the older being was
Everyone settled down and listened to the official. Luick sidestepped and let the Army General talk. He caught my eyes and held them for a moment before he began to speak.“So, here are the rules, warriors. You can use any weapon you like. There’s just that little twist this year. When your name is called, you get your neck and go up on that ring.” We all looked at the ring that was already set up outside as well as different weapons that were arranged nearby. There were super guns. Yes, high-tech ones that could maim someone permanently. There were others that were not guns. Yes, I meant that blade family and others. They were short and long, with varied designs, sizes and weights.“And then, another three of you will be randomly called to gang up the first one who’s called out,” General Isoog added. “After fifteen dots, if none of you is able to defeat the first man, you just gave him the chance of a lifetime to join the army! He’ll automatical
The three Aryans simultaneously attacked me but I was faster than them. I kicked the chest of the second opponent in front of me who was holding the axe, sending him out of the ring flying. He landed on the ground hard, with a loud thud and face down. I rolled down to evade the sword and the spear that attacked from each side. I willed that Ponpon would grow longer. I heard the audience gasp.Ponpon smirked when he became longer than before. It was the first time that it happened. He seemed to look excited with his new self.“I’ll make them regret they joined the Banatan, Xerra,” Ponpon snickered like a maniac.I stared at him with my steely blue eyes and smiled at him. I parried both the sword and spear and swept the feet of my two enemies. One was hit but the other was quicker than the first one. He managed to dodge my attack. His sword was now threatening to slash my neck. However, I bent backward with a front kick and I sent him flying out of the ring.
The celebration was held at the palace ground that very same night. Foods and drinks were served in a matter of less than thirty dots. It would last until midday. And before that was over, the prisoners of Uzob were all freed and joined this rare celebration. It must have been a very historic day for everyone in the Aryan world.But before that, Miryeob and my sister Shahrae, together with Kaiyahv, had a priceless reunion. It filled my heart with warmth and joy as they embraced each other. I smiled watching this happy moment for our family. I watched them with a smile on my face. They were talking animatedly like they really had a lot to talk about. Well, I thought that was true since it had been a long time since they had been separated from each other. Thinking that my sister’s father was already dead, there was indeed a lot to catch up. The whole evening would not suffice it, I’m sure.Rugien embraced me from behind, watching the scene that I was focused on. The King
“Free all the prisoners in Uzob. The only thing they did wrong was go against the impostor king. That means they’re all innocents,” Rugien said. He then informed them where Uzob was located.They nodded. They were about to go when Rugien halted them. “One other thing.” He glanced at me first before he continued. “Frith’s body.”“We’re going to take care of it,” Bullox said. “Right now, he’s going to be washed clean by a couple of our fellow warriors before he’s going to be sent to his family. That’s the least we can do for him at the moment.”However, Rugien shook his head. “No. Frith can still be brought back to life. Will talk to Healer Ulf regarding this matter.”I snorted. “Huh? Are you saying that he still has the chance to be alive even after his life source is sucked by the Creyer?” I asked Rugien about that unbelievable suggestion.He turned to me and all eyes were on him now. “The old palace healer has found something in their research, Xerra.
It was then that Rugien and I grabbed it at the same time that it was taken away from Isoog like his strength diminished. Together, we thrust the staff through his chest and to his heart. Blinding light erupted from within and it seemed that he just melted into a mist, into nothingness, only to appear the real King.I knew it the moment his green eyes were settled on Rugien. The Grand Crown Prince could tell it, too, that it was his real father.“Father!” He embraced the older man.The two males looked happy with this reunion. Well, who wouldn’t? I looked at the staff that was now solely in my hand. I couldn’t feel its surging power now. But I didn’t care. All is well now. My eyes met Zelian’s who stepped closer to us. He bowed to the two royalties and so did the others, including the Furezos and the remaining elite warriors. It looked like there was less than half of their number that was still alive.“Zelian! It’s been a long time since I last saw you,” the
As the General told me his real name, he attacked me with a whip that he manifested. I barely realized that the name of his brother’s staff was Creyer, which was taken from his name after all. The impostor loved his brother dearly—it was crystal clear to see. It was quite admirable. I could understand since I had a precious sister that I loved so much.Anyway, it was good I was fast enough to dodge his attack. My poniard blocked it the second time, which was caught by it. In turn, I pulled it and slashed it. His hold was broken. I quickly bluffed a thrust but attempted to slash his leg. He was quick to dodge both times it was amazing. He was amazing. I gave him that. However, he just got motionless all of a sudden.I whipped around to look behind me to see who it was. Of course, it was Frith. He used his favorite weapon, the needle, which made the General paralyzed. I smiled, satisfied, at the unmoving Crey.I then paid attention to Rugien and the King who are stil
“Or you’re going to break my neck? Is that it?” I sarcastically told him but my hand was still tightly holding my weapon. I refused to be threatened by him despite of the current situation.Rugien suddenly made a more-than-a-superbeing move. He stood right in front of us in less than a split dot. His face was grim that I’d never seen before. His eyes burned with fire as he looked at the General of the Elite Aryan Army.“Ah, my son!” The King followed as well after a dot passed by.I looked at his Creyer. With this distance, I could probe into the King’s mind. However, it was blocked somehow. He looked at me with a mocking and evil grin. He shook his head unaffectedly.“I know your ability, Xerra. However, you cannot use it against me.” He paused. “Even you, Rugien. No matter how powerful you are.” He turned to the Grand Crown Prince.Rugien reached out to my mind, I realized. I let him probe into mine. Now he knew what I discovered. His face went grimme
The Furezos spread out quickly and with agility that I’d never witnessed before. I realized that they indeed worked hard to be able to defend themselves and to protect their land against the King, although it was unsuccessful until now. The King and General Isoog just got out from the flying capsules, which obviously warped from the palace to get here quietly and quickly.I ducked when a flying sword was aimed at my direction. I quickly ran to take cover behind a tree. The leipods or simply called as follow-the-enemy flying weapons were deployed all over us to automatically track and attack us. They were as big as an Aryan hand with a triangular shape and steel gray color. They flew without sound, hence perfect for surprise attacks as well. Once it sees and locks in on its target, it won’t stop until the target is terminated.“Execute all the rogue warriors and the rebels!” I heard the King’s command.I swallowed and looked at my poniard that was in my hand.
I thought it was me but Kaiyahv commanded her people who were about to attack me and Kalith. My troop, on the other hand, surrounded us even though we were literally outnumbered. But we had advantage of the technology of the Elite Aryan Army. If what we had would be used properly, combined with our own powers and skills, there was no way that we’d be defeated by the Furezos. The Elite Aryan Army was named as so.“I just need your head to be delivered to the King,” I said.“But you heard what Harrupero said! We didn’t and hadn’t raided the Nazian tribe!” Kaiyahv insisted.I decided to probe into her thoughts to know if she was telling us the truth, if she hadn’t ordered it so. But what I saw in her thoughts surprised me. I saw Miryeob’s younger version, saw her talk to my mother before she became a Queen, and grieved when she heard about her brother’s fake death as well as my mother’s.“What do you see in my mind, Xerra?” she demanded, haltingly as my hand was
I was really astonished upon hearing that. Their leader was a female Aryan being? Well, that was interesting. Indeed!Wait, was it her that I saw in the mind of the Furezo who got imprisoned in Uzob?I signaled Kalith to come to us. He did so in an instant, leaving Bullox and the others to gather the captives, while some injured elite warriors did their best to revitalize their energy. They still had to hear what order I would give them after this. Belatedly, I decided to call on Jegosh as well.“You deliver this message to the King. Tell him that I will meet the leader of the Furezos and I will negotiate for him,” I spoke with the playful Jegosh. I believed that something would happen if I were to send him, judging by his personality. “If I cannot get back to the palace, I’ll have Kalith deliver a message as soon as possible. For now, don’t make the King do anything against the Furezo tribe for an entire day.”Jegosh nodded although his forehead formed some
Other elite warriors who were not expecting it were caught by the smoke. They already coughed and groaned. Well, I could just imagine how they feel now, as I experienced it at the Banatan. I knew they felt like dying right now.I transformed into my Arcturian self, using my black aura to cleanse the smoke. As soon as the air was cleared out, my fellow elite warriors that were affected got back their strength and were healed. Then they used their clear helmets as well.They dashed toward the Black Forest where blazing arrows kept coming at us. It was like more than hundreds of them. However, the elite warriors easily managed to parry them now and those were rendered useless. I could now make out the people who were as black as the black trees of the Black Forest. No wonder why it was called Black Forest and why their hiding place couldn’t be found even after numerous raids that the King had made all these years. Thus, only the innocents were killed. That was indeed a pity