Wishbone

Once upon a time, there was once a land called Largus. It is a wide stretch of land surrounded by mighty mountains that it looked like a crater. It has wide fields for vegetation and hills for animal husbandry. It is also known as the "White Lands" because of the individuals living in it and the kind of nature around it.Largusans, people of Largus, have long tresses white as cosmos and have eyes silver like dusty miller. Wide fields of baby's breath, cosmos and dusty miller is common. Magnolia and Fringe trees are also all over the lands. Even their horses are white. Thus, it is popularly known as the White Lands.Largusans value elegance, art and music. Thus, their wooden houses as well as their furniture have elegant carvings, their clothes are made with intricate embroideries, and everywhere you go, you could hear sweet melodies from flute and harps.However, their defense force is still weak. Currently, they are actively recruiting and training young people to be defenders.Way up at the Northern Training Camp, level one aspirants are preparing for their year-end. After a year of learning basic formations and sword fighting, the day came for them to level up. Leveling up means they're going to be subjected to stricter and specialized training. Also, 'Wishbones' will be separated from the 'Pure-Blooded' aspirants.Wishbones are flowering plants that display a blend of colors. The variety that is found in Largus consists of white flowers with purple edges.Wishbones also refer to those individuals who have a streak of purple color on their cosmos-white tresses and sprinkles of purple color on their silver eyes. These certain individuals pertain to the 500 valiant men and women who liberated their land around 2 decades ago. It also includes their offsprings. Moreover, these Wishbones are several times stronger, faster and more agile than a regular person.XXXJust before the year-end, the head of the Northern Training Camp generously offered 3 days break to the aspirants. As expected, the public market nearby is bustling with aspiring defenders.It's the second day of the three-day break for all aspiring defenders before they level up.In one of the taverns, north of Largus, three members of the Bloody Cloaks Division in civilian clothes are enjoying themselves with the sweet taste of wine and the soft notes being played with the harp.The Bloody Cloaks is a special division that refers to the most elite defenders. They are the shock force and or the offensive force during the battle. They are dressed in crimson-colored robes, while their officials are dressed in maroon-colored robes.Captain Tobias Karsh just watched his friends get drunk as he continually refused to taste the wine. Suddenly, a drunk man who is younger, approached them."You," the drunk young man said as he pointed at Ka-el, the chatty friend of Tobias."Yes?" Ka-el asked with a smile pasted on his blushed face."You know that you're not the only one here."Ka-el looked around."Yes, so?""Shut the fuck up, " he shouted at him, making the other guests look at their direction.Because of the influence of the alcohol, Ka-el didn't just agree and let go of the matter, instead he added fuel to the fire."What should we do? I have a mouth...so I can't just shut up.""Why you..." the drunk young man said calmly and he suddenly threw a punch straight towards Ka-el's face, making him fall down from his seat.Some of the other guests stood up to look at the commotion.Though he's drunk, Ka-el managed to get up and threw a heavy punch on the young man. The young man's friends, who were currently watching from their own table, stood up and walked towards them."Nikos! Are you all right?" they asked.Nikos, the young man, just nodded his head.Agitated at the punch of Ka-el, Nikos raised his fist to hit Ka-el again but Tobias was able to grab his fist first. Nikos' friends were about to raise their fists but with Tobias' glare, they took a step backward shuddering as they called out to their friend to let it go and leave the place.Tobias looked right into Nikos' eyes and told him to stop. Tobias then released his fist and ordered Ka-el to stand down. At that moment, Nikos pulled the knife hidden in his belt and tried to stab Tobias on his chest.However, Tobias was able to catch Nikos' wrist before the knife could touch him. Tobias glared at him. He put pressure on his wrist until Nikos lost his grip on his knife. That knife fell right on top of his foot-stabbing it."You should stop now while I'm being nice. You can't afford the consequences if you don't."Nikos eventually lost his voice as he looked into the deathly glare of the person in front of him. Feeling the incredible strength of his hand, Nikos just lowered his head. Once the intimidating man released his fist, he left the tavern in a hurry. His friends followed suit.XXXOutside of the tavern is the night market, almost all of the aspirants are around shopping for clothes, food and items. Sol, an aspirant, stood up in front of a clothes' shop waiting for her two friends - Haelas and Karisha. While looking around, someone bumped into her. The scent of the alcohol wafted to her nose. She looked at the one who bumped into her, it's one of her fellow aspirants who despise her. He looks flushed because of the alcohol. Also he's kind of out of breath and is terrified. Three of his friends are also running in zigzag towards them."W-what's wrong?" she still asked."Uh...s-someone-" Nikos looked at her, "Oh a Wishbone? Hm? One of the weakest...but still a Wishbone.""Mm. What happened? Why did you run and why do you look terrified?""You know, it's time you prove your worth as a Wishbone.""What do you mean?""Someone from that tavern hit me and stabbed my foot," he said and showed his bloody foot where the knife landed, "So, as someone who's stronger than us, you should seek justice for us.""Yes, you should seek justice for us," his friends asked her.Sol stared at his bloody foot and right at the bruise on his face. The adrenaline started to gush along her veins.She really hates violence."Who did this to you?""Some guys at the tavern, they are seated in a corner with a mountain painting behind them," one of the guys answered."Okay. Go and treat your wound.""Oh, never forget to punish the one with a scar on his eyebrow.""Oh, Okay."XXXSol started to walk towards the tavern. Just before entering, she stopped.By the way, what am I doing here? Why am I doing revenge for my brothers who don't really like me? What if I can't handle them? But then, it's not really revenge, it's justice. As upcoming defenders, we should uphold justice. Okay, let's do this.Sol opened the door, she swept the area with her eagle eyes. She immediately found the target. There was only one person and he seemed... asleep. His silver tresses flowed all the way to his waist and he's in cream colored robes - civilian clothes. Even with the thick layers of robes, she can easily notice that he has a well toned body. With the somber light, it encouraged her to become unconsciously fixated on his face.Sol never spent a moment appreciating male beauty but this man is an exemption. His visuals totally stopped her on her tracks. He has this chiseled yet soft visuals-looking pure and innocent. It makes her wonder if he really beat her brothers.Well, looks can be deceiving.After a few moments of hesitation, she walked towards him in long strides. She then grabbed the wine bottle and smashed his head with it.XXXTobias immediately opened his eyes when he felt a hard object smashed right into his head. He felt a surge of pain as well as the alcohol-scented liquid dripping all over his hair and face. He saw a young woman with a face full of contempt standing in front of him. The neck of the bottle is firmly grasped on her hand. She's dressed in cream colored robes and her purple strands are peeking from her loose tresses - a Wishbone. She looked angry and shocked at the same time. In a split second, he immediately grabbed her hand holding the bottle neck, pulling her towards him.XXXWhen the man opened his eyes, Sol suddenly didn't know what to do. As she stared right back at the glaring windows of his soul, she suddenly felt all the hairs on her nape stand up. If eyes can seize your breath, this is it.Sol, remember to stand your ground no matter what.She was shocked when he stood up and grabbed her hand in a split second. The bottle neck fell from her palm. Now, he's towering over her. He's standing so close to her and they're glaring at each other. There, she noticed the scar on his eyebrow.That scar. It felt familiar. Where did she see that?She couldn't think clearly as she was overcome with fear."Explain before I make you bleed."His unfaltering voice is so deep.A strand of purple peeked from his silver tresses.He's a Wishbone.Sol, don't be afraid. He's in the wrong."I need not explain more sir. It's what you get from hurting my brothers. You look older than us. Why would you hurt them instead of protecting them?"Tobias tilted his head as he tried to analyze the situation."If I'm wrong, go ahead and make me bleed," she challenged him."Are you trying to be a hero here? Do you know why they were hurt? If not, leave now before I will really make you bleed," he said and dropped her hand roughly.Sol swallowed hard and started to walk away.Why did I back down so easily? Well... I think I already got justice for my brothers.She threw one last look at that man. He's staring right back at her. The coldness crept up her spine again. Unconsciously, she walked faster. I think I'm gonna remember him for a long time. It's not easy to forget how insanely intimidating and strong he is... And his godlike beauty.Just as she stepped outside the tavern, the cold breeze didn't do much to lower the extremely high body heat she had caused by her adrenaline rush. She started to slowly inhale and exhale when she was stopped by her friends."Are you alright?" Karisha asked in between catching her breath."Y-yes. Why are you here?""Well, we saw our despicable brothers and asked if they saw you. Then they said that you're out here to seek justice for them.""Oh."Haelas' eyebrows arched so high."Oh? That's what you can only say? We were worried to death, you punk! Why did you look for trouble for people who don't even like you?""Well, maybe.. it's for justice."Yes. It might be really for justice. Or maybe I just don't want to be despised."Never mind that, so, where are those bad guys? Did you beat them?" Karisha asked."I only saw one. I smashed his head then I left.""He didn't hit you or anything?""Well... he kinda let me go. Maybe he realized that what they did was wrong so he just received his punishment."Haelas let out a fake laugh then he became serious."Absurdity. No man would stand down if they were attacked. He's just maybe too drunk to even touch you.""He doesn't seem drunk though. Also, he is quite strong. He only gripped my wrist but I felt like my wrist would fall out."Haelas panicked."That's how strong he is? Then what are we still doing here? Let's leave now before he regroups with his friends and sees us again.""Mmm. Makes sense."XXXAfter a while of vomiting in the comfort room, Dorn and Ka-el went back to their table, only to find Tobias, wiping his wet tresses and face. Pieces of a ceramic bottle were scattered on the table and on the floor. They immediately sobered up at the sight."What happened Captain?" Dorn asked in all seriousness."Someone got their revenge.""What? What revenge?" asked Ka-el."Revenge for those fools earlier.""How could you let it happen?" Ka-el asked in frustration.He exchanged looks with Dorn. They are both in disbelief. Tobias would never let go of anyone who disrespects him, especially when that person messed with his head. His head represents his pride and dignity. Anyone who will mess with his head will be crippled or.... maybe even be sent to death."I'm asleep.""But even if you're asleep, you could sense any movement-" Ka-el stated."So, what happened afterwards Captain?" asked Dorn, stopping Ka-el."Nothing."Dorn and Ka-el stared at Tobias blankly."I let her go, " Tobias continued.Ka-el's eyes went wide."Ah it's a woman. Even then, you just let her go?"Tobias would be more lenient to women but still he wouldn't let anyone go easily."Getting smashed in the head-that's a first. Why did you really let her go?" Ka-el continued."I'm really exhausted to be involved in another senseless scuffle. That's why I let her go."That's a lie. He would have made her bleed but he felt something strange about her- the feeling of familiarity. He doesn't know her but strangely, she felt familiar. That's why he couldn't bring himself to lay his hands on her."By the way, judging from her appearance-the tanned skin and toned body, she's either a laborer or an aspiring defender. However, we are very near to the Northern training camp, so she must be an aspiring defender.""Why are you telling all of these, Tobias?" Ka-el asked innocently."Why else? I want to know who she is."XXXThe next evening, while Dorn and Tobias are having tea in the living room of their guest room, Ka-el arrives with a beaming smile."You should reward me, Captain Tobias Karsh.""For what?""For how incredible I am in gathering information.""You say you're incredible when it took you a day.""Tobias... it's really-extremely-super difficult to find that woman.""So, tell me what you found about her."He brought out his notes and fixed his robes. Then, as if he would give a speech, he cleared his throat."Her name is Sol Moraii, daughter of one of the Supremo's advisers-""What?" Tobias suddenly asked, interrupting Ka-el."What do you mean 'what'?""Her name.""Ah, her name is Sol Moraii.""Sol?" Tobias uttered, he choked as if something was stuck in his throat. There maybe several individuals who are named 'Sol' but still, the name holds a special place in his heart. This was the nickname he gave to someone he knew from a long time ago."Yes, Sol," Ka-el said and stared back at the captain who is in daze, "Should I continue?""Yes.""Okay. Sol Moraii- She is an aspiring defender at the Northern training camp."Moraii?Dorn flinched as soon as he heard that name.Adviser Moraii has a daughter?He knew that Adviser Moraii has a Wishbone wife but he never heard that they had a daughter together."So she's from the northern training camp?" Tobias asked."Yes, the place that we'll be visiting tomorrow."Tobias let out a smirk."By the way, Adviser Moraii is working at the Supremo's Manse right?""Yes Captain. Why do you ask? Do you have any bad blood with Adviser Moraii?" Dorn asked."Not that I know.""How sad!" Ka-el commented."Sad?""You won't get your revenge anymore since she's an untouchable."Dorn threw an inquisitive glance at Tobias, as if wanting to read his mind."But our captain here doesn't care about status...""OH. I almost forgot. Still, I couldn't fathom how our ruthless Captain would let her go unscathed, " Ka-el said as he laid the papers he's holding on the table, and added "Maybe, she's a beauty."The captain just shook his head and drank his tea.