'We have schedules here'
Says Stray as he puts both his hands on each sides of his waist. "We alternate days of training and work. Training happens at the pits. We sometimes use fiends found on the desert to train and sometimes we do matches. But since it's only the four of us here, matches will be off from the options for mean time. Work is compose of clearing debris below the ruins and gathering ores and some runic items we can find. Any questions?"
"So you're the only one who will be training us?" Aeron asks with one hand raised.
"The other mercenaries haven't return yet so far. So, me and Nora will handle it until the others arrive."
"What about those men? Aren't they mercenaries too?" Aeron points out at a man guarding by the doorway
"Those are just maggots. The elite mercenaries that compose Ouboros left almost just the same day you two arrived."
"How many are they?" Aeron went on. I can see why he is probing. We do need to know as much as we can about these people
"There are eight of the elite mercenaries with ascending ranks depending on their strengths and skills. The rest are just worthless fools like the one by the door" replied Stray as he pointed at the doorway
"I can hear you, Stray" the man says in exasperation even without turning to looks at us.
"Anyway—! Enough with the questions. You will all meet them eventually! But I don't know when they will be back..."
So there are other more mercenaries in this syndicate...
I sat at the other end of the table across from where Stray sat while he currently stood there explaining things for us. Beside him is Nora and the other children. Aeron sat beside me in silence as we finally finish eating the meal prepared for us. It wasn't anything grand but at least it was edible and sufficing enough. The table was elongated and made of wood. It accommodated all of us and then some. I assume it's 'supposedly' the seats of the previous children before us.
"Today we will start with work." He concluded as he sat back down and gulped the remaining content in his mug and wiped his mouth with his sleeves. "Nora will look after the she-twin and the other one goes with me!"
She-twin...
He could've at least used our names, I thought.
"Wait... who would look after the other children?" I asked, raising a hand. "They will be led back inside our rooms safely. They won't be harmed unless we do something Cerguz won't like." Replied Stray as he scouts his eyes at the other children who were still trying to finish their plate. "They already know the drill so you don't have to worry about them. Just focus on the work so we can all have a peaceful dinner tonight altogether."
For an ill-mannered guy, he's surprisingly responsible and caring to the other children. I stared at him as he went on explaining about the ruins below where we will be working at. He explains about how this entire structure is a ruins buried deep in the sand and that the only main surface that was left unburied is what Ouboros had chosen to become their base.
Everything else below that has been buried is what we are suppose to explore.
As he went on explaining further, my focus went on with something else.
I studied his eyes.
The colors are beautiful. I've never seen such a serious looking eyes yet soothing to look at even though his face is nearly covered by his bangs. I wonder what type of Lord he could have been if he didn't end up here in Ouboros?
I looked around the room. It was a small space with no windows as well. The walls were made of stones. In every corner of the room, torches lit, providing enough lighting. Four other tables are present around us— a total of five. There is only one door where a man in cloak stood in silence. His back facing us.
I sink back further to my seat and sighed.
I wonder when can we find a way out of this place?
I look down and realized how unsightly my torned skirt and stained white cloak are.
I was so ignorant and careless. All I thought about is my fate about becoming the destined Fallen One. I never even bothered to recognize the possibility that as a highborn, abductions is a danger too.
At least they are all provided here... especially with clothes, I thought as I blinked my eyes and looked up to study Nora in silence, she wore plain red and cream dress that was enough to provide her coverings but loose enough to perhaps allow her to move around. I wonder if she's a skilled mercenary like Stray?
And on her neck was a choker similar to ours.
A simple black leather one.
I tried to grope at mine and realize there was no way to take it off.
I looked at Stray, he has a choker too.
Hmm. I wonder if these serve as label of sort.
In a faintest of hint, my eye catches a scar on Stray's neck. My eyes searches for any other exposed skin he has as if wondering if his body is filled with scar. Nora mentioned he's been here the longest as an abducted child.
He must have the most experience then.
He has broad shoulders, I noted, with an epaulet laid on his right while a small black cloak wrapped around him that draped towards his back, but it rather looks like a scarf.
He has muscles on his arms. Perhaps he built it from all the years he's been in here. He wore that black shirt that seems like layers of apparel stitched together but it was tight enough to clearly define his lean chest and body.
What a matured body for a 14 year old, I thought to myself as my eye descends as he stood back up and went on conversing with Nora and Aeron.
His shirt stops shortly pass the half of his torso. With several leather bands that loosely tied around his hips like a belt or something. I wonder what they are for?
I took my mug up and decided to finish my drink.
My eyes goes back scanning his exposed torso, it defined an outline of his muscles. Perhaps abs?
Wait. What am I wondering about!
Scar. I thought. I am checking for scars!
Wait.
Why though?
I glanced up and realize Stray was eyeing me tentatively.
"Looking at this?" He pulls his shirt up, exposing his vividly defined abdominal muscles and hard packed abs.
'Pffffffffft——!?!'
I spit out all the drink from my mouth in surprise.
"Perv" he sneers, putting his shirt back down.
"I-I-I wasn't —!!!" I hem and haw, my hands fleeting everywhere in a fluster.
Aeron, Nora and the other children just looked at me in wonder.
"I w-was just— ugh! Never mind!" I stuttered.
I can feel my face flushing.
Damn it. He misunderstood!
If I try to explain further I would only look more guilty so I just shut my mouth close and bowed my head down in embarrassment.
"So is everybody done? We still have a long day ahead. Nora, you will take LG-09 today. I'll take the LG-12."
Everybody began to stand up. I looked up as the children lined in a row near the door.
"Let's work hard today, Aerra" Nora walks up to me in a smile. "I'll do my best" I replied as she nodded.
••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••
After stepping out of the dining area, another man in cloak led us deeper inside the labyrinth like passages. Stray and Aeron walked ahead of us.
"There are instances we encounter aggressive fiends below the ruins, Aerra. If that happens, just go behind me. I'm not as strong as Stray but I can handle them well." Explained Nora as she looked at me. "Have you ever considered if you might be a Wielder or a Transmuter?"
I tilt my head to the side.
I heard about those... but I can't remember.
"You don't know what Wielders and Transmuters are?" she asked in surprise.
"We were taught about those during our morning lectures" intruded Aeron, "Don't tell me you weren't paying attention?"
"Really? We were?" I tapped my temples, "Oh. In that case I wasn't paying attention."
Aeron rubs his temples as if a headache bloomed.
I honestly think I read it rather than heard it though.
I scout my eyes around as we went on walking further. Every corner has a stationed man in cloak. I feel no tension in the air but security was tight regardless.
We soon turned in a corner and passed a huge empty hall with high ceilings and with walls made of sandstones where several doors can be seen.
That place is left unguarded though... I wonder where those doors leads to?
"When our power awakens, we can either be categorized as a Wielder or a Transmuter." Nora explains in as-a-matter-of-fact tone, I turned and focused my attention to her as she went on explaining. "Wielders are those who have an ability to wield magic or elements. Sometimes non elementals abilities manifest too. There are variety of types; Some can control stones and create golems and some can even have a gift of sight— like watch people even from hundreds of meters away."
I remembered Grantzæl City. Perhaps my uncle is a Wielder type after all.
If such power like uncle's run in the family, I wonder what Aeron's will be.
Oh wait.
Now I remember—!
"And Transmuters are those that can turn into a weapon, right?" I uttered and waited for Nora's response.
She nods. "That's right!"
The centennial priestess will be looking for a Transmuter as her holy weapon, her Familiar.
"I'm actually a Transmuter" says Nora
I looked up at her abruptly.
"An explosive, like a bomb."
She giggled. "Not the best type of weapon though because I can explode on the instance of transforming so I never really tried mastering it at all."
"I'm a Transmuter too" added Stray as he morps his hand into a blade similar to the one I saw yesterday. "But this kind of transformation is incomplete. I need a Meister if I would want to complete my transformation. But still, I can do well without one."
"A Meister is someone who syncs with a Transmuter. They are like a swordsman and his sword, for short." supplied Nora even before I could ask what the term means.
"But even a Transmuter like me can master one element. So I recommend you two snow heads pick one up and stick with it. I picked Wind since it's the easiest to conjure and it's properties matches my own fighting style." Says Stray as he reaches a hand to pat Aeron on the head.
"People from this continent mistakenly believe that any Light elemental user can just simply turn to the Dark element whenever they want
"You say that as if it's so easy to just simply pick one and summon it up" grumbled Aeron as he tries to dodges Stray's hand but in many fail attempts he finally submits and let him tousle his hair.
"Well you can start trying to control one element already even if you haven't awaken your powers yet. That's why it's called potential, isn't it?" replied Nora as she walked to match my pace and took me by the arm, latching onto me while wearing a sweet smile. "Once you pass the age of ten, the bigger the potential usually is. Although, I actually thought the two of you will be around twelve because you're both tall for your age and mature too!"
I don't have the heart to tell her that it's not us who are tall but it's that she's short... so I just sighed.
I side glanced her as she beamed at me.
I'm at least relieved Nora is sweet and affable.
I wouldn't know what to do if she's like Stray.
"And what is your element, Nora?" I asked
"I'm fire. Do you want to be fire too, Aerra?"
"I haven't given it a thought yet."
Wait.
Both Nora and Stray are skilled at some extent and they both have some knowledge about Ouboros, surely they have thought of trying to escape, right?
But right now— here they are.
What's keeping them here???
I wonder...
"Okay we're here. Quit your yappings and start with the work!" The man in cloak interrupted.
I looked ahead and saw a portal structure that somehow resembled the one in Grantzæl but this one had a weirder formation and symbols. It lit in a soft green light as we moved closer to it, strobing between a bright to a dim glow as if it was breathing.
"Aerra, stay close at all times, okay?" Says Nora as she stood up and walked ahead of me.
Stray pics up a rucksack and tossed it over to Aeron before walking to the structure with him as they vanish.
"Are you ready?" Nora asks she hands me a rucksack too as I nodded.
She then steps forward to the portal structure as I followed from behind. She reaches a hand over it and slowly cryptic symbols emitted around us and soon our surroundings changed.
That night, I stared at my trembling hands.
We cleared a lot of passages today.
I carried so much rocks and boulders with Nora the entire day that even forming a fist now became an impossible task. Even though in the end, majority of weight was being carried by Nora.
My entire arm feels sore no matter how much I twist it and stretch it around, especially my shoulders.
Even my feet won't stop trembling. And I'm already seated at this point.
I never thought just a day of manual labor can affect me this much.
Well, I suppose, I shouldn't be surprised since this body I have now never tasted any hardship ever.
"Time to eat!" says Stray as they all began with their dinner. I looked at my bowl, it was soup.
I reached for my spoon and tried my best to grab hold of it. But my spoon drops from my unsteady grip even before I could scoop anything. Even a pincer grasp was too hard for me.
I sighed.
I look at Aeron and he seems fine.
I guess it didn't affect him because he already had physical training prior.
I tried to lift my entire bowl up but it was too heavy for my current state and my hands were shaking too much, it might spill.
I sighed again.
"Tomorrow we will begin with training" stated Stray as he stood up and walked around. I looked up and realized everyone was almost done.
Stray stood behind me and took my bowl.
"Hey?!" I glared at him.
"You guys need to sleep early for tomorrow"
"I know" I replied as he suddenly poured the contents of my bowl into an empty mug he was holding. And then placed it in front of me.
Oh.
That's actually helpful!
I looked up to thank him but he already was walking away.
I took the mug up with both hands and gulped the soup as fast as I can to cope up with the other kids.
I can feel my mug trembles with my hand as I went on drinking. Well at least I can consume it now.
I can see from the corner of my eyes someone was reaching for my bowl again so I instinctively turned my head to look...
His face inches from mine.
I watch as his dark purple eyes just stared at me for a moment, impassively, before he blinks his eyes close and stood back up.
He stood for a second before stooping down once again. "Put your other hand under the mug to make it steady." he says in an almost a whisper that only the two of us could hear. I looked down and he was pouring the remaining content of soup from my bowl to the mug I was holding. "You need to finish it all up otherwise you'll go hungry tonight."
He was... paying attention.
I stared at him blankly as he gently wipes the corner of my mouth with his sleeve. And then he turns around and walked away just like that.
"...."
I suppose he's like this with the other children too?
"–Right, Aerra?" I snapped and realized Nora was talking to me. I turned to face her abruptly. "What?" I asked.
"I said you were great today. You never even complained."
My eyes sweeps to the empty seat beside Nora as Stray sits back down to it. I looked at his meal set and realize he doesn't have a mug.
Wait. Is this his mug then?!
"Aerra? Are you okay?"
I look at Nora. "Your face is red" she frowns, looking at me with genuine concern.
"I'm fine!!!" I shook my head vigorously. "What are we talking about again?"
"The ruins. I said you were amazingly hardworking. You didn't even complain."
"Oh. That— well I just feel like it would be unfair for you if I did" I replied as Nora beamed at me.
"You're too kind. You should be tell me if it's too much for you next time. But I'm just glad we got through that!"
I side-glaced Stray as he just pointed at the mug I was holding. He mouthed, 'finish it' as I nodded and gulped the entire thing hastily.
This is his mug.
Ugh! I can't let go of the idea.
But at least he was attentive—
And helpful.
I put the empty mug down and reached for my own mug that has water in it and drank it fast as I can as well.
"Well now, I never thought you were that hungry" murmured Nora as I set my mug down, only to realize everyone was watching me in astonishment.
"N-no...! I...!!!"
My eyes automatically glanced from Nora to Stray. He smirks and those eye catching dimples shows up. Damn my eyes are selective!
I shut my eyes close.
I just bowed my head down. "I'm done eating" I murmured in defeat.
"Is everybody done as well?" Asks Stray as he stood up. "Okay. Let's go back then."
And with that we were all led back.
The moment we reached our room, I threw myself to bed and felt the exhaustion drown me. It feels like floating on water. I feel so tired.
"Stray! Play with us?" I heard one of the children stated. I turned my head and watch as Stray takes one child up to his shoulder and he began running around with him. The other children played along around him as if they were all playing tag.
The first time I saw him, he was so stern looking.
He has that falcon's gaze that makes you feel like you're a prey being careful watched and studied to be attacked.
But once he opens his mouth: he's rude and careless with his words. Kind of loquacious as well. Yet he's surprisingly caring and vigilant with a charming smile.
And now... as I watch him play around and laugh with the children, it feels like watching a normal boy with a simple happy-go-lucky attitude.
It's amazing how someone who grew in an environment like this still manages to become a guy like him.
Amazing indeed.
"Are you okay?" Nora sits beside me as I looked at her and nodded. "Tell me if there's something bothering you, okay?" She smiles warmly and gently pats my forehead, combing my hair as she does. She's like a mother figure, kind and soft spoken. I'm guessing she's worried if I miss my parents since we're just newly arrived.
Well I do of course... especially for Mama.
But sulking now won't actually help me or Aeron.
"It's only us in here. We need to stick together like a family. So if something is troubling you, don't hesitate in approaching me, okay?" she says as she gently squeezes my hand before standing up.
"Nora" I murmured, "Can you sing that song again?"
She beamed at me, as if delighted that I even asked. Nora walked back and took her stringed instrument in a corner and then returned to my bed and sat beside me.
I close my eyes as Nora begun to play her lullaby.
It's really calming to listen to her.
What a beautiful voice.
I didn't even heard the most part as my consciousness drifted off too soon just few minutes after I closed my eyes.
"Wake up!"
A muffled voice yelled out from the otherside of the door. Banging three times. "Breakfast"
I wearily opened my eyes.
I tried to move and realize my entire arms are sore. It felt as if all my muscles are throbbing. It was so painful to move as much as it feels like it weighs a ton to even lift a finger. Even my back feels sore.
I rolled myself off the bed and slowly anchored myself up with an elbow.
Goddamnit even my legs hurt.
"Aerra? Perhaps this helps?" says Nora as she touches my back with her really warm hands.
Gosh that feels so heavenly! I beamed at her. "Thank you, Nora"
She giggled. "Good thing I'm fire, huh?"
I nodded vigorously as she slowly and carefully assisted me up while wrapping her warm hands around my arm.
After breakfast we were led out by men in cloak outside. The temperature was cool but the sun beats it back down.
Blankets of sands stretches wide across the horizon. High belt of sand dunes are seen everywhere with the dry wind that carried dust along its course.
Escaping now would only seem impossible with the vast open land. They would likely spot us in a split second. We'll be hunted like hopeless preys.
I sighed. And besides, I can't run with my legs like this. Plus there are children behind. Who knows what Cerguz might do to them if I even tried running off now.
The airship is gone though—
We walked for few minutes away, with our feet sinking shallowly under the hot sands as we went on. "Almost there" says Nora as she pointed at a mirage like image.
I peered through the heat waves above the sands and saw a small quarry made from sandstones. "This is the Pit" says Nora as she stepped away from me and walked ahead.
"Let's go!"
I looked back and saw the ruins in a distance. We really aren't that far after all.
I wing my head back and stared at the sky above me and squinted at the scorching sun. "It's so hot" I cursed under my breath. I feel like I'm melthing.
A gust of wind suddenly passed by. Breezing through my hair in a gentle and refreshing way.
I looked ahead to see where it was coming from.
Aeron was striding to where Nora was while Stray just stood there in place. He just glanced at me over his shoulder, nonchalantly.
A man in cloak lightly shoves me from behind, "Keep moving" he demanded. I sighed and followed.
I focused my eyes ahead and realized they were all beginning to climb down the quarry or 'pit' as they call it.
I dragged my feet across as another sigh leaves from my mouth.
Soon we all stood below the pit as several men in cloak circled the parameters above.
There were scattered blunt swords and bones of— I don't even know what kind of bones these are, but there were lots of scattered things around the area. In a corner I saw a bush with plump round berries.
I figured those maybe the berries they were referring to before.
"Aeron, show me what you can do!" stated Stray as he morphed his right arm into a blade. He side glanced me and spoke "You— just build your stamina and grip. Nora I'll leave that to you."
Feels like he doesn't even plan to train me to fight.
I sighed in dismay.
Nora nods in reply and then takes my hand gently and beams at me. "Follow me please!" she sung as she gently drags me along towards a corner.
"We'll start with this" she pointed up.
I blankly stared at the rocky wall before us that stood about ten feet high from the ground.
"Try climbing the top. Don't worry about falling, I'll be right here to catch you"
I turned to the wall before me and cringed.
I'm never a sporty type, even in my past life.
I never tried wall climbing before.
"You climbed it before too?" I asked her just to stall.
She nodded with a grin.
"Watch!"
She pushes her cloak aside.
She then began to climb the rocky wall one step at a time as if she's climbing a simple ladder.
I watch in amazement as she makes progress using her only one arm.
And then when she was already half way on top, she suddenly squatted her feet to the wall and kicked herself off in one great thrust.
She spins over head and manage the grab the edge of the top and then pulls herself up in one spin as her feet hovers up in midair before landing gracefully to the top of the ten foot wall.
I clapped. "Amazing!!!"
"Now you try" she hollers at me.
I shook my head. "I can't do that!?"
She leaps down and lands on her feet, beside me, like a cat. "You don't have to do exactly what I did. Just climb it. I'm here for you, don't worry"
I just nodded wearily.
I walked to the feet of the wall and gazed at the edge on top.
I looked at my still trembling and aching hands.
And then glanced to where Aeron was.
He held a small blunt sword.
Stray went on attacking him as they clash and parry.
He's really trying his best.
I need to do my best too!
I can't hesitate now—
I grabbed a steep area from the wall and began to push myself up while groping a solid leverage under my feet.
"Balance your body as you go up. If your body is too far from the wall the point of balance might tip you off to fall easier" stated Nora as I took another step and went on climbing myself up.
The next rock I grabbed suddenly collapsed even before I could have settled my foot down so I slipped and fell back to the ground.
Nora who broke my fall helped me to stand back up. "Can you do it again?"
I nodded.
"Good girl!" She pats my head and smiled.
I went and did it again and again.
Perhaps more than three times already but the result was the same.
I weren't even able to climb a feet higher than my own height.
I sighed in dismay as I sat on down the ground while gasping for air. I looked at my all bruised hands and realized blood had clotted under my nails. It's all throbbing painfully.
I can feel my heart racing wildly against my chest, ringing my ears like it never had before. "How..." I asked, catching my breath, "how did you learn to do this?—"
Nora squats down beside me and softly pressed her hand on my forehead to wipe my sweat off. "Perhaps a goal will be of help?"
"A goal?" I asked.
She nods as she began to look around as if searching for something.
"Isn't climbing the top already a goal?" I asked as I stretched my feet out.
"That's the objective. It's far different when you have a goal that you would want to achieve and inspires you to reach the objective and even beyond!" She replied.
Oh.
A goal huh?
I studied the top and followed the outlines of the wall while in goes higher as it stretches further to the sides of the pit.
My eye catches one beautiful flower dancing on the breeze that grew exactly on the rocky walls.
"How about that one?" I pointed at the flower.
It was situated in a much vertical extent.
"Good idea," she shows me a thumbs up. And reaches a hand to me as I stood up and we walked to the bottom of the wall where the flower was.
"It's perfect actually! Desert flowers are rare. Perhaps if you are able to reach it, it can serve as a charm.
A charm? I thought. As my eyes automatically looked down my ankle where the 'Sky of Dawn' braids was tied.
I already have a charm.
I glanced at Aeron as they went on with their sword fight.
But he doesn't have one yet...
"I can do this!" I braced myself.
I'll get it for my brother.
Nora cheered back as well as I went on and began climbing the walls again.
I took a deep breath as I let my tired knees collapse on the ground.
It was already sunset.
"Don't worry, you can try again next time! Don't push yourself too hard!" says Nora as I just nodded.
I checked my hands again. It wasn't trembling anymore and the pain was more tolerable now.
I looked up at the sky as the wind blew calmly pass me. The colors of it weren't really different from what I always see in Greenrun. It was still a blush of pink and orange as the clouds scatters in a pattern as if crowning the setting sun that glows like a ball of light over the flat horizon.
I really have no idea where I am right now, am I still inside the same continent or in another?
But no matter, I'm still under the same sky. The same life. The same fate that mandates me to brew into a sinister twist later on in life.
Whatever happens in this land. I know I will still eventually meet the priestess and Aeron will too.
But I wonder what will happens to us in here?
"You did great today, Aerra. I'm sure you can climb it up soon" Nora stoops down and covers my view of the sky. She grins at me sweetly and then walked behind me and began to comb my hair. "Amazing, your hair turns pink!"
"Only during sunset" I chuckled.
"Arcanians are really mystical huh?" She says as she began to braid my hair up.
"I had a sister around your age. We arrived here together. She was also a pure blood just like us"
All past tense, I noted.
I didn't reply anything.
"Can you hold this for me?"
She then stood up and reached for a thin stick and began to carve it with a dagger she took out from her back.
"You two could've been great friends." she says almost inaudible as she used the stick to pin the braids in place.
"There! All done!" she sung happily.
"For six years— surely you had tried of escaping?" I murmured, hesitating if it was alright to ask. My eyes scouts the men in cloak above that hordes in one area, talking amongst themselves.
Nora sat beside me and shook her head. "I haven't but Stray had..." she replied as her eyes watches him. I followed her eyes and looked at Stray who was seriously training Aeron in a distance. "And he paid the price."
She sat back down beside me.
"Cerguz has the gift of sight like I mentioned before. Even if he's not around, he can sense movements as long as they are around his domain." she explained as she pulled her knees close to her chest and folds her arms around it. "Right now Ouboros is his territory. Up until here in the pits, he can still sense our movements for sure. But what is the most terrifying thing he can do is that he can paralyze anyone in his territory. Not just movements but breathing too. That's why plotting to escape is impossible. He can simply paralyze you and it's over even before you could step out of their base. And he doesn't need to see you to paralyze you. He just needs to sense you."
"So that means he's from a noble blood then"
Nora nods. "I guess not all noble bloods are wealthy. Some ends up in a poor house with only just a name."
I remembered the man who released the black shackles that bound us before. Perhaps he's a noble blood too— that means some of the people in the Ouboros has their own powers.
"And I can't risk the safety of the children... I can't bare to watch them all get killed. Not this time... Not ever."
I felt my grip tightens as I fisted my hands.
'Not this time' ?
"As long as we are in his terrain, Aerra, we are all under his watch."
"But can he hear us?"
"No... only sense our movements and whereabouts."
"That's good at least" I sighed in relief.
Nora turns to look at me. "I know you want to go home, Aerra... but if they catch you... if Cerguz catch you... it's either he'll torture you or kill the children..."
I stared at Nora as her eyes showed genuine concern and anxiety. I shook my head "Don't worry, I won't do anything rash"
She jumps to me and hugged me tight. "I don't want anything bad happen to you too, Aerra. So please stay put for now. But if we do find a way, don't worry, I'll make sure you all get away safely, I promise!" She says with her head buried on my shoulder. "No. I swear— I swear it!"
"Nora..."
I was about to pat her back when she suddenly pushed herself back and beamed at me. I can see tears warning to bloom out in the corners of her eyes. "Noriin Dyllan of Ialnis That's my whole name. And my sister was called Pola but her whole name is Paulin Dyllan. I wish you'll remember that. It's nice that someone will remember our real identity as who we are."
"Aerrandria Leingod of Greenrun. That's my whole name." I retorted as her eyes widened. "What a beautiful name! It suits you very well!" She squeals while snuggling me tightly. "My adorable Aerrandria!"
I laughed.
She looked at me in wonder.
"It's nothing. It's just... you're so kind and sweet, Nora. I nearly forgot you're older than me"
She pouts. "I know, because I'm tiny!"
I shook my head vigorously as she was still latched onto me, "I didn't mean that! We're almost the same height! If I say you're tiny then it's like I'm insulting myself as well"
"Oh! You have a point!"
We both laughed.
Suddenly we heard Stray yelling at Aeron. He was fuming as Aeron fell on the ground.
"What are those guys up to?" grumbled Nora as we stood up and walked towards them.
"I'll ask again—!" Stray says in exasperation, "what is your weakness?"
"I don't know...!" yelled Aeron back as he stood back up.
Stray side steps and rushes to Aeron in one swift movement, swaying his arm that had turned into a blade as Aeron parried.
"You can never be strong if you aren't even aware what your weakness is" murmured Stray under his breath as he steps away.
"My weakness is that I still lack experience and enough training!"
"Fool! A weakness is something you already have. If you keep acting so naive about it, your enemies will likely use it against you!"
"What's the point of knowing your weakness if you can just become strong enough to beat anyone?" Aeron argued.
Stray snickered as he slowly walks aback, shaking his head while he kept his eyes on him. "A weakness can become a problem, kiddo. And the first step in solving a problem is to recognize there is one."
Stray's eyes shifted to me.
"Are you really sure you don't know?"
Aeron grit his teeth and fell silent.
Stray nodded. "Okay, let's try it this way."
He jumps up and lands down behind me. He then points the blade of his hand to my neck, Nora immediately reacted but Stray shushed her.
"I'll ask again, Aeron. If you're wrong, I'll cut an inch in your sister's neck until I can spell the answer out."
"Damn you! Leave her out of this—!?!"
"You're just putting him on edge" I murmured at Stray.
"Shut up if you want your brother to learn"
I suppose he's right.
"Question one, Aeron. If a fiend suddenly appears in front of you and your sister, will you stand immediately in front of her without any hesitation?"
Aeron's eyes widened but his shoulders eases down. "Of course!"
"Even if you don't have a weapon?"
"Of course!" he replied again with conviction in his voice.
"And then when the fiend throws you down and break both your legs. Do you think your sister will be targeted next?"
"What are you getting at?" Aeron groans. His eyes narrowing.
"Will you die for your sister and leave her?"
I shot Aeron a glare as his eyes met mine.
Don't you freakin dare say yes, you dimwit.
"Or will you live to save her?"
Stray showed a condescending smile.
Aeron's eyes looked down and nodded. "I get it already. So unhand her..."
Stray steps back.
"What is your weakness, Aeron?"
Aeron looks up and eyed me. "My twin sister... Aerra."
"If you know that, then begin with that. Turn your weakness into your strength." stated Stray as he walks back towards Aeron.
Nora pulls me and wraps her arm around me.
"If you keep jumping in front of her like some sort of meat shield, you're not saving her. You're likely wasting your life for her to watch and see." Stray morphs his hand back into a normal one and crosses his arms together. "That's called selfishness and foolishness. You will hurt her more than anything else"
Aeron gasps. His eyes focused at Stray.
Stray has a point, I thought to myself.
He's surprisingly good as a tutor.
"I don't want you to think like a shield but as a person strong enough to fight for her and wise enough to weigh which battle to fight and when to yield. So if you want to continue under my guidance, I want you to ignore your sister only up until our training is over. It's your choice now"
I watch Aeron as we exchange glances and then he nods. His eyes is full of resolve.
I feel so proud watching him.
"I will do it. I will follow your guidance!" He replied firmly with both hands fisted. "Please train me!" He then stoops down in reverence.
Stray nods at him.
"And you—!" He turns his head to me, "I want you to stop acting like a damsel in distress"
"I am not!" I immediately replied.
"You're brother is acting like a knight-in-shining armor for you. If you keep being permissive about it. You're indirectly insinuating him to become your human meat shield!"
I was left out of words to argue back.
Did it really seem that way?
"Right now. The two of you are holding each other down from being overly attached. I don't care what kind of bond you two have but I'm expecting both of you to get stronger as individuals first before fighting your battles alongside, together."
I looked at Stray as he never spared a glance at us anymore. He just stood there with his back facing us. "We will train again the day after tomorrow, Aeron."
He's been here the longest.
He grew up training in these deserts and together with these band of mercenaries.
He can fight with both a wind element and his own transformation ability.
I want to believe in him.
"Wait—!" I hollered.
...believe that he can help me too.
"T-train me too!" I stated, staring back directly in his eyes as he glanced at me.
There was silence.
I don't want to keep depending on my brother.
Right now, I've always been weak and hid behind Aeron in silence.
I thought being strong won't help me with my destiny. But right now— at this rate, I would likely cause more danger to him and to anybody from protecting me.
Stray is right.
I've been acting as a helpless damsel.
I'm fooling myself if I deny it.
I may be 18 years old in mind from retrieving my previous memories, and it allows me to think and formulate things more than a normal child my age but it doesn't really mean anything more than that because I'm still vulnerable to danger and illnesses as much as I've been an easy target to the Ouboros.
"Right now... I'm incompetent, weak, powerless and ignorant. I am nothing without my brother. I keep holding on to the idea that my state of consciousness and maturity will help me get through anything. But this world—!"
I remembered again that scene. The one when two men in cloak stuffed Aeron's unresponsive body in a sack like some corpse. That horrible and mortifying scene.
Yet I just stood there like a hopeless fool, hoping someone will help him.
"This world is full of things I haven't even realized yet. In the end I'm just a young girl that is yet to learn everything before I could step up for myself and for anybody important to me... so I—!"
There are people more powerful than I could've ever imagined. People like the High King who had made an entire nation float in the sky. People like Cerguz who can sense and paralyze people without having the need to be around.
And Ouboros generally with its elite mercenaries — who can simply abduct, sell or cut children's arms off for selling just like what they did to Nora...
I have underestimated this world.
Stray turns his entire body and faced me.
I don't understand why my voice was shattering.
I paused and bowed my head down, shutting my eyes close and fighting this urge in my chest that makes me feel like I'm about to cry for some unknown reason.
"I want to be strong too!"
I felt a pat in my head.
I look up as Stray walk pass me and towards the stairs, climbing it up in silence.
I look at Nora as she grinned at me. "That means yes." she whispered with a wink.
I turned to Aeron as he just smiled gingerly and nodded.
I guess, starting from now on—
I won't be able to converse with Aeron for a while.
This is okay.
We need this to grow.
I need to grab the opportunity while I try to learn everything around me
And hopefully—
I can find a way out of Ouboros.
That night I fell asleep instantly like before.
But unlike last time, I found myself once again in this black abyss.
With the mirror with red frames that stood like a door in front of me.
I stood there staring at my reflection while my hand laid flat against the cold glass.
On my reflection... I have a black hair and ruby red eyes. It looks back at me in a contemptuous smile.
Is this really me? I wonder.
Slowly her fingers passes the glasses and wraps it around mine.
I tried to get my hands off her as slowly she pulled me in.
In panic I begun to wrestle around.
I keep yelling 'let me go' but there was no voice coming out of my mouth.
I closed my eyes.
"You don't have to wait for the priestess
Just accept me and we can kill them all."
My eyes springs wide open.
There was no voice.
No one talked...
But how come it had flashed such words in my mind as if it was transferred to my thoughts?
"—welcome the darkness"
There it goes again! I stared back at my reflection as she just stood there, staring back at me and effortlessly pulling my arm in.
"I am—
Slowly her eyes becomes all black like a hole as she tilts her head down. Her smile had become more sinister as it stretched wide to both her cheeks.
—the wish
I shut my eyes and pulled my hand out with all my strength.
— you asked for."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Wake up!"
A muffled voice yelled out from the otherside of the door. Banging three times. "Breakfast"
I stared blankly at the wall before me.
That felt so real just now—
"Aerra?" Nora's hand slowly pats my head, "Are you alright?"
I sat up immediately and just saw Aeron leave the room.
Oh. That's right.
We should ignore each other for now.
I look at Nora, "Just a bad dream" I told her.
She pats my head carefully, "Bad dreams bad dreams be gone, my little Aerra has waken up. For darkness stays only at night and means nothing more at broad day light!" she sang.
I looked at her in surprise.
"Feeling any better?" She combs the strands of my hair behind my ear and beamed at me. "Do you need me to sing one more song?"
I chuckled. "No more. I'm fine now."
"See? The chant was effective!" she pulls me to an embrace. "Let's go eat breakfast now, shall we?"
I nodded with a smile.
That day we went back down the ruins after eating.
We were teleported inside a place that seemed like an aqueduct this time.
But just like last time, this ruins had no windows or any sign of egress, only the portal from where we came in exist as the only way out.
A clear shallow stream flows on the ground in an area that resembles a small open canal. The floor was covered in broken tiles that resembles cobblestones, with greenery flourishing out from it's gaps from the ground.
Nora steps towards the stream and stoops down, groping underneath the waters.
"Just try to pick whatever you may find in the waters" Nora instructed as I begun to search as well.
I stepped down the knee level waters and found few small gems, a size of a coin and placed it all inside the bag they provided us.
When I returned to lean down the waters, I saw my reflection on the water, similar to my dream
I gasped and lost my footing.
A splash can be heard.
Ugh! Now I'm wet, I thought.
Ahh... but the hollow sound of the water that covered my ears is calming so I let myself sink to the bottom and just blankly stared up at the rocky high ceilings with all its stalactites.
The water is so clear it's like looking through a lens.
Nora walks up to me and stared at me from the surface. I stared at her from underneath the waters as I just lay there unmoving with my back pressed against the stream's floor while holding my breath.
"What are you doing?" her voice sounded thick against my ears.
Suddenly she sat down and immersed herself under the water as well to lay down beside me.
We both just stayed there for a few second, staring blankly at the high ceilings in silence
before she decided to finally turn her head at me and made a funny face. I chuckled but the water instantly went inside my nose. I sat back up abruptly and coughed out all the waters.
"Seriously, what are we doing?" She asks.
I bursted out laughing as she joins in and laughed as well.
She then summons a fire in her hand and takes it close to me. "Try to warm yourself with this. I'll go ahead and pick some stuff up. Cerguz might get upset if we keep goofing around"
I took the small fire ball from her and watch it hovers on my palm. And like a tiny heartbeat, it grew and dances in a rhythm.
It's red colors reminds me of my dream last night once again...
Black hair.
Red eyes.
I wonder if what I did yesterday only made me one step closer to my destiny again?
I really don't know which decision will be good and bad if so...
Two days left and I'll be turning ten.
I wonder what power will I have?
Will my powers awaken instantly?
I watch Nora in silence.
I'm sure Nora has her worries and fears too.
But I never saw her sulking and dwelling on it like what I'm doing now just because of a bad dream.
"You're amazing, Nora"
"Why all of a sudden?" she asks
"Nothing really. I just think you're strong and amazing" I say as she walked beside me and stoops down to continue her search.
"I'm not. Stray is stronger despite being younger. It's kind of an irony, isn't it? I'm the oldest here but I let someone younger than me lead us. I sometimes feel useless for—"
"DON'T!!!"
She turns to me in surprise.
"Don't say you're useless! That's ridiculous! You being here now really helps me ease down my nerves. I don't know what I will do without you! Although..." I bit my lips, "this is me being a damsel in distress again"
She laughs, "Don't let Stray's words get you. I'm glad to be of use to Aerra! I think Aerra is not being a damsel though. You're so strong minded and so determined. I actually admire your tenacity. Usually at situations like this, it would be normal to cry at night and miss your parents. But you showed so much bravery, Aerra. The kids find you inspiring as much as I do!"
I inspire them?
"You have no idea how you affect people, Aerra. So don't put yourself so down too much!" She says, taking my hand, "You're humble and you know how to empathise well with people around you. If anything else, I think you're more amazing!"
I felt my cheeks hot.
"I-I-I'm not!!! I'm just—" I stuttered.
She giggled. "I'm so relieved someone like you is my friend"
I stared back at her with wide eyes.
Ah.
Now that I think about it.
I never had any female friend before, not in this lifetime.
"What?" She tilts her head to the side as she studied me.
"It's just that—!" I murmured, flustering. "I never had any female friend before. So it's... just kind of... relieving to hear that you regard me as one."
Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushes softly in a pink glow. "Really?"
Suddenly she leaps on to me in a tight embrace as we both fell back to the waters.
"In that case, you're my best friend from now on!"
she grins at me. "I never had a best friend before. I'm not even sure if asking it like this is the right way to make someone your bestfriend!"
I chuckled.
That sounded silly.
I bursted out laughing.
"What?" she pouts as I pulled away from her and we both stood back up.
"Okay, Nora! From now on, we're bestfriends!" I told her. She nods vigorously as she planned to launch at me again, "Stooop! We're drenched enough! We'll get sick if you jump on me again!"
"Aww. Kill joy!" she pouts.
We exchanged glances and laughed at the same time.
I feel so happy right now that I've forgotten the dread I was brooding about awhile ago.
Oh.
What if I asked Nora?
I wonder.
Well she's a girl.
Surely she won't be stolen away from me by the priestess, right?
Perhaps....
...Perhaps I can confide in her.
"Why are you so silent all of a sudden?" she murmured as we walk to a more shallow spot to get out of the water. She summons a fire out and we began to warm ourselves in it. While we went on picking the gems under us.
"About my bad dream" I stated as she looked at me with wondering eyes.
"I keep having this odd dreams every now and then. It's sometimes repetitive but last night it progressed."
She taps her finger on her chin, "What are they generally about?"
"About— the Fallen One"
"Fallen One? Like the legends from the other continent?"
Other continent?
So I guess I'm in another land after all.
"It's not really a legend..." I sighed. "Nora, what will you do if you find out you're destined to become the Fallen One?" I went straight to the point, so to avoid further confusion.
She studies me for a moment in silence.
She took a deep breath. "If it's a destiny, I don't think there's a chance to likely avoid it. Well at least that's what I think..."
At least she's not laughing at my question.
But hearing her answer was rather depressing nevertheless.
"I'm not well versed with the story but I had heard about it." She then looks at me. "...if I found out my destiny is to become someone that will antagonise people someday, I would still go ahead with living my life like how I usually do. Since I'm not sure when I will become one. There's high chance I might not even avoid it. After all, there must be a clear reason why I will turn into one."
I sighed.
She pats my head, "You're still young Aerra. The way you are now... I think more people will surround you and trust in you someday. You will never be alone. And you have me— I will help you if you feel conflicted with something. But if it turns out that something really bad is bound to happen, maybe I'll just help you kill your enemies instead!" she laughs.
"Don't say that!" I grumbled. "Not even as a joke"
"See Aerra? You have a good heart. If you become corrupted then that means the reason for your corruption is more to blame than yourself!"
"But if I really do become the Fallen One—!" I halted and just took a deep breath. I realized I'm getting all worked up. I need to calm down. "Nora, I feel like it beckons me. Regardless of what I do. Where I am or who I am with. It's just there... Watching. Waiting. I'm starting to believe I should really isolate myself or at least from the people I care about."
"It beckons you?"
"I don't know. It's like— me. But with a dark hair. She had red eyes before but it turned black when my hand went inside the mirror." I paused and realized I wasn't making any sense. "Sorry. I know I sound weird. I maybe losing my mind over this but I feel like the darkness is trying to reel me in."
"Aerra," she takes my hand, "This world is full of darkness. Everybody has a little dark secret on their own or sadness they try to hide and control inside their hearts. Don't be scared in facing any of that. While we can all train physically to fight and be skilled at it, there's no way we can all be prepared emotionally with anything of what's to come. All we can do is hope. No matter how much we try to prepare for anything at all— there is always a situation that we won't be able to control.
—You don't have to fight it all back. Sometimes you just need to learn to live above it. Or if it's really dire, maybe embracing it is the best option."
The Nora before me right now is different from the Nora I know.
Right now, she has the saddest eyes I have ever seen but also the hollow words she uttered were like a void to my ears.
It's like a calling that never left me.
It feels like she wasn't really talking to me but rather reminding her self.
I wonder
What really happened to her to make her say such things?
That night.
Aeron and Nora exchanged seats when we had our dinner.
Nora sat beside me as Aeron sat beside Stray. The children covered the rest of the seats around us.
I kept my eyes away from Aeron and focused my attention to Nora instead. I just chatted with her until dinner was over.
It felt odd to avoid my brother so deliberately like this but I'm sure he's very determined to do this as well.
I stood up and went at the back of the line with Nora as we were led out the room when all of a sudden another man in cloak came to us and spoke, "Cerguz needs to talk to the twins. Follow me!"
I glanced at Nora as she eyes me anxiously. I just smiled at her to reassure her, "Don't worry. I'll be back!" I told her as she nodded wearily.
I then followed the man as Aeron followed a little from behind.
We were led in a small warm looking room that had fancy looking sconce instead of a torch. Like everything else in this place, its walls were also made of bare sandstones. There is a study desk in the middle of the room with a comfortable looking chair. Several shelves can be found but only few books were on it. Most items displayed seemed like relics found below the ruins.
Cerguz stood in a corner as we were led to stand in the middle of the room, in front of the desk.
"How are you both adjusting lately?" he began as he faces us and sat on the chair. "I trust you got along well with the few left."
I just stared down the ground and listened to him in silence. Aeron did so too.
"I do apologize for the lack of staff available to help you with your trainings. I had them all run an errand for me. But don't worry, I'm sure they will all return soon!"
The silence went on for a while. I just kept my head down and hope he release us back soon with the others.
"I'll get to the chase. As you know, I'm a merchant. I am adoptable with negotiations!" he says as he gestures with his hand like some sort of actor. "I called you to negotiate with me. To be honest, I'm in a pickle! You see— a collector is nagging me to hand over one Arcaninan kid. But he never specified if it's a girl or a boy."
My eyes widened in shock.
I can feel my heart beginning to drum in horror.
"So I told myself, why not let the twins decide for me? I'm open for negotiations!"
I can see Aeron's fist clench in the corner of my eyes. I honestly pray he would shut up and won't elect himself.
"But here's the thing... Both of you will turn ten very soon, am I right? There is a really great chance either of you will awaken your powers or both of you will do at the same time! So I'm thinking... I only need one! If one will awaken sooner than the other, of course I'd be more obliged to choose that twin over the other because I don't like delaying orders for my customers. But if it does becomes the latter... well now, who should I choose then?"
His eyes carefully studied us both for a minute. "What's this? No one wants to negotiate?"
I shut my eyes close.
Whoever can hear my prayers now... please mute Aeron up. Please!
I swear to god, I will knock him out cold if he even tries to talk.
"Well. If this is the case then I guess we'll just have to see who will awaken first. If not and both of you do manifest your powers at the exact same time, I'll just have to ask my men who they can take down first. Sounds fair enough?"
The deafening silence was my salvation.
I would rather have it than hear Aeron's voice.
"Okay then. That's settled!" He slams his hand down. "Good night, kids."
We were led out the room in utter silence.
Deep inside I am internally rejoicing Aeron did not elect himself like he normally would have in order to protect me.
But now what?
Why do I feel like Aeron will awaken first than I do? He had made progress far than I have.
What will happen then?
I shut my eyes close.
The dream I had flashes in my thoughts all of a sudden.
Her eyes, her smile, and the last words she left me with.
If Aeron's powers awakens earlier than I do...
'They slice it up for them...
to Sell..
...They like it Preserved.'
If they lay a single hand on my brother...
Then I guess, I thought, as I opened my eyes and stared at Aeron's back as he walks ahead of me.
I will rather welcome
the darkness
than watch Aeron be taken away.
"I am—
It is...
"the wish..."
—a wish
"...you asked for."
I will ask for.
.
.
.
I will kill them all.
"...kill them all."
———End of Chapter 6———