It was a warm summer day. Quite hot actually. I woke up sweating. I don't think it was the heat. I'm pretty use to this heat. Maybe it was another nightmare. Another nightmare seeing my parents brutally murdered right in front of me. I really hate this.
The sweat slowly race down my forehead, and all across my body. The trauma I faced will forever stay inside of me. Why did this happen to me? Why would those bastards take my parents away from this very Earth? Just why?
I finally got up out of bed. The summer heat, the fresh smell of the market risen all across the village. Seems like we have more stocks coming from the traders. I'm going to check out what's new.
As I walked out, I was startled by a short, muscular guy. It was my friend, Rizal
"Hey Fajar. It's been a while. Man it's so good to see you"
"W-woah hey Rizal. It has been a while. Last time I've seen you was when you left to join the war"
Now that I realized, he was right. He did went to war. Helped out our nation with the battle. The scars all over his muscular arm, across his cheek and on his shoulder. This guy sure took a beating, but hey at least he came back.
"How was it Rizal? Did you guys win any battles or most importantly the war?"
"Sadly we haven't won the war yet but we did win many battles across the country. One battle took us a whole day of fighting but we sure won that."
Rizal's face look like he was proud to win the battles. Is this what pride is? Being proud and up-going about what you want and desire? The determination to reach goals?
"I'm given a two week rest before I have to go out. Fajar, say we can go to the market and get some food. I'm starving. My treat"
"You don't have to do that Rizal. You should at least rest. I bet you just came back to town.."
"Oh I'm well rested Fajar. Come on let's go. You're face is telling me we should eat. How about we go down to old man Zuber's place. We can eat lamb"
"Hell why not. At least I can hang out with my friend once more"
Hanging out with Rizal is always the best. He always has stories to tell, advice to give me, and new things to learn. He was the one to take care of me and bring me into his family after my parents' death. He was like a brother to me but my best friend. He may be 17 but he's someone I really see as an figure to look up too. He's a hothead, very impulsive, brave, and courageous. Pretty much holds up to his name. Everyday I prayed for his safety when he was at war. It's a blessing to see him again.
"Hey Rizal, you said you were going back to war. Where will you go?"
"Far away. Heard that we're going to be on boats so more likely over seas. Around the Red Sea maybe. Don't worry to much about it. You know I'll come back"
Far away.... So it'll be a long time before I see him again whenever he leaves. The cold feeling on my back, the shiver all across my body just intensified, leaving goosebumps. This sucks...
We walked around the village, trying to find old man Zuber's place. Zuber was the wisest man in the village. He tells the young stories of our village ancestors, legends of the six warriors who built this village, and helps around despite his age.
As we pass the market, we heard a loud screech.
"Hey give that back..."
Rizal looked up and saw a man running, stole something from this women. Rizal had no hesitation to run towards the thief. The fear the slender, tall, shaking man grew exponentially as Rizal chased him down.
"He's poor and hungry.." I thought to myself
"Rizal stop! Can't you see the man is hungry. You don't have to beat him!"
The rage that grew inside of Rizal grew much more after hearing Fajar's weep to help the poor thief.
"Fajar, don't you see! This man is a thief. A criminal to be exact. Being to soft isn't going to cut it in the world! Probably why you're still depressed because of your parents' death"
"Why am I mad... is this what rage is? He doesn't know... He doesn't know the pain I felt. The scar that was left after that event!"
I lunged towards Rizal and kicked him down to the ground. The faces around the other civilian grew cold. The whispers around just made it worse for this rage inside of me.
"So you want to help a criminal Fajar? Is that what it is? Go ahead, deal with this thief Fajar." while chuckling.
I walked to the man to help him. His face was covered in blood. The bruises were more visible than the dark stains on his shirt. I helped wipe the blood off his face, aiding the man.
"T... Thank you. I'm sorry to cause such a scene. M.. My children are hungry. I wanted to provide for them."
Hearing the man's desires to help his children gave me this warm feeling. What is this feeling?
"Sir I'll pay for the bread. But please don't do anything to rashly. You could've been arrested and may not see your children."
As much as I went through, I don't want other kids to suffer my pain. The pain I felt whenever I lost my parents.
The man began to thank me. Offering me to eat. I refused and went on my way for a hike.
On my way to the path I follow my father show me, a strange light dispute in the air.
What is this ball of fire? Is someone inside? Is it a catapult?
Soon it crashes, shaking the Earth around, leaving a scar on this world. Shattering the clay pots, shockwaves pushing people to the ground, erupting eardrums. What was this mass?
When I reached to the crater, it was a stone, glowing blue, red, yellow, and green. The heat around the crater was hotter than the summer day. Hotter than any day of summer. I walked to this stone and heard this voice.
"...it's okay.....release me from the dark... so I can bring light to this darkness...."
My body moved on its own, I walked to this glowing stone, freeing whoever was in there. My hand rose to pry open this stone. The moment I touched this architect fragment, everything went dark. Around me was the night sky I stare at every night. There was my mother, my father, and this brightly figure. I rushed to my parents for only them to disappear. Like blowing ashes from the fire pile. I fell down in pain.
"Why can't I be with my family?", said this bright figure. "You wish to be with your dead parents but you are alive"
"Without my family, what hope do I have for the future. It's hurts me thinking about it. About my family. About me..."
The tears filled my eyes. I couldn't understand why did everything happened to me. It hurts so much.
"Allow me to share my wisdom and share my pure health. I promise you'll find your peace you seek."
This voice is so calming. Reminds me of mother. The calming reassurance my mother gave me when I was upset. It reminds so much of her.
"Please... help me find my peace!"
"As you wish, o chosen"
Everything went dark. Am I dead? No, I hear voices.
"Fajar! Fajar! Wake up Fajar!"
I open my eyes and see Rizal in tears. What happened?
"What happened?"
"After that meteor crash, I came to see if you were okay but you were unconscious. I thought you died."
"I wouldn't die. My parents gave me this life to live. I shall live it the best I can"
Rizal was surprised with my response. I was surprised with my response. Was the lady in my dream real?
Moments later, we see people in horses, camels, and carriages rushing towards us. Rizal's facial expression had this worry to it. That worried expression had me worried too.
"Rizal, do you know these people?"
"Yes, they're the enemy we are fight. Fajar, run. Don't let them catch you. RUN!"
Before I could run, we were surrounded . A man covered in copper armor walked towards us. Unshieving his sword from this hip. The archers around pulled back their arrows back on their bows.
The moment I blinked, Rizal jumped in front of me, penetrated by arrows across his body. Rizal's limb, cold body dropped. I caught him and saw the life in his eyes slowly fade.
"Fa..jar... p..please... for..give... me. I lo...ve y..you br...other"
His last, and final breath came out of his lifeless body.
"No! No! This can't be happening! Why would you bastards kill him!
Everyone was shocked and scared of what I said. Why was everyone so scared of me yellling? I'm only a kid, yet they're adults.
"شيطان" (Demon). The man covered in copper yelled.
I put down Rizal's body. I have to defend for myself. They're going to pay
As I notice, my body was glowing. My body dispirit in flames. My body wasn't taking damage from this flame. What's going on?
Soldiers came rushing towards me. I can't think. I have to fight. I punched a soldier and he went flying. As if I hit him so hard and left a shockwave but this rage was slowly surging. I ran towards the archers, punching, swinging, grabbing them. They should know the pain I felt. Reinforcement arrived. More people who should pay. Especially that man.
I rushed towards the man in copper armor, passing by all the soldier. The soldiers who got in my went, I dropped. The soldiers who tried surround me, burn to ashes. I couldn't think anymore. The rage I felt succumbed my body and took over. I lunged towards the man in copper.
He begged "Please, don't kill me. I don't want to die"
Why should I let him live? Why should he be left mercy? I grabbed him by his head. His helmet melted off. His silky clean hair turned into crisp. I felt nothing but rage. I want to kill this bastard. My fist turned into a ball of flame, my eyes turned red like the flame surrounding my body. The moment I blinked, my fist was inside his chest. The life in his eyes so turned cold and dead. He was dead.
I pulled my fist out of his chest. It was over. That bastard was dead. All I can think of was Rizal. It started raining. I felt a cold feeling in my heart. "Is this really happening"
The remaining soldiers retreated. At that moment, my body stopped glowing. The flames around my body dispersed and I was normal. I rushed back to Rizal but he was dead.
I carried him to the village to see others shocked of my arrival. Rizal, a warrior, a hero has passed. Tears among the women and children, the fear among the men grew throughout the village. The hero that once protected the village has died. I walked to Rizal's home, and explained what happened to his parents. Grieving, agonizing, and sorrow filled the house. The house was quiet that night.
The next morning, the cold feeling in my heart grew. I don't want to get up. I don't want to face anyone. Rizal's mother walked in the room.
"Fajar, please get up. Rizal's funeral is going to happen. Please come with us"
His death was because of my fear. My inability to be brave and help killed him. I owe it to him. I bet he's cursing me from above.
I got up and follow Rizal's family to the funeral. I at least owe it to them.
The memorial was upsetting. Everyone was grieving for my best friend. The hero of this village. Should I join the military for everyone?
I thought to myself "With this gift I receive, I could join the war and give the safety the people needed." So I announced, "I'm joining the military and take revenge and bring peace to Rizal and this village."
Everyone was shocked with my response. I rushed home, packed my things and ventured off. Before leaving, Rizal's mother stopped me.
"Fajar, please take Rizal's sword. This should protect you."
I took the blade and thanked Rizal's mother and ventured off. As I joined the war, it brought a great advantage to the war. Not knowing about my power, I trained and controlled it as it was affected by my emotions. We soon won the war.
I was known as "Fajar, The Flame Warrior"