"Keep quiet." A large grunt of a man stood, hovered over a little girl not over sixteen. Two men stood by his side, wide grins on their face as they grabbed her. I couldn't fully grasp the situation, however my heart told me something was wrong. I stealthily moved through the trees, getting to a point where I could jump down on them. I pulled out my blades, took a deep breath and dropped down, right on one of the men.
He let out a loud scream as my blade went through his neck, dropping him to the ground. His scream alerted the others and they immediately turned their attention towards me . My eyes widened as the big grunt pulled out a large metal hammer out of thin air. Sorcery. I had heard about it but never seen it in action. He immediately charged at me, his attacks heavy yet swift. He struck to my left, his swing packing power. I barely maneuvered my way around, avoiding not just the hammer itself, but the large gust of wind it carried with every swing. An attack strikes the ground, causing the forest to shake and a large crater to form where it hit.
As I stared down at the damage, i thought for the first time ever that I might not win a battle. A huge grin appeared on my face, I wasn't scared, I was thrilled-thrilled to finally be challenged.
"Where have you been all this while." I said, unaware that my thoughts had spilled out.
The grunt stared at me in confusion, I mean why not, from his view I could only imagine I looked like a madman with that huge grin on my face. I gripped my blades and charged in, trying to close the distance between us but I couldn't. His attacks came quick, and he had the range advantage, despite this I managed to weave through looking for my gap. Then it came, he swung hard, his attack targeted at my head, I dodged down causing him to go off balance. For a moment I saw it and immediately pounced, however I was too reckless-my eyes fixated on the battle before me,i had forgotten he wasn't alone.
I caught the glint of a blade aimed at my neck and managed to dodge, the edge missing me by a hair. This left me off balance and the large man seized his opportunity . He struck me right in my ribs, his attack shattered my armor completely and sent me flying through the forest. I crashed through several trees, eventually stopping when I hit the ground.
I originally didn't feel anything, not until I tried to stand up. A sharp pain traveled through my body which caused me to scream. I looked down, my eyes widened in horror at my mangled body, legs broken, arms shattered and my rib cage pierced through my flesh. I felt my blood start to drown me, as I gasped for air, unable to get any.
"Help…." A word I never thought I would say rolled off my tongue, for the first time in my life I was afraid-afraid to die. My eyes watered as the world around me blurred. I could hear the muffled tears of the little girl as she cried for help. I dug my nails into the ground, I tried to force myself up but the pain kept me down. Even if I had managed to get back there, what could I have done? I closed my eyes, eventually giving in to my fate, I felt myself sinking deep into an abyss, a deep never ending darkness.
"Where is your pride?" A voice came, a thick commanding voice echoes through the darkness . I opened my eyes slowly, before me I man stood, his presence instilled fear in me. His eyes burned with flames and his body surged lightning.
"Where is your pride?" He asked me again. "Your pride as a warrior? Your pride as a protector?"
I stared unsure of what to answer. I had no idea who he was or what he was, but I could tell he was powerful.
"Answer me!!" He commanded, his voice causing my body to tense up.
"My pride as a warrior?" I said as I thought carefully about my answer. He watched me, his piercing gaze fixated on me.
"I never lost my pride," I say, "but pride is not enough to win every fight." My eyes dropped in sorrow at my state.
"Pride is enough when you are strong enough" He said. "Do you wish to be strong enough?"
I felt his question place weight on my shoulders. Did I want to be strong enough? At what cost? I thought for a while, then I remembered my fathers words of retreat. I did not wish to retreat, and maybe just maybe if I was powerful enough we would keep the land.
However I could not trust this mysterious figure. Who was he? Why did he appear at my point of death? Questions filled my mind.
"The name is Sango, god of war, thunder and fire." He said, his gaze not wavering.
My eyes widened in shock, did he hear me? And did he say he was a god? Sango? I had never heard of such a god.
I noticed his expression change to one of annoyance and anger.
"What is your decision?" His tone matter-of-fact.
I had never heard of him before, however if he was truly a god, then that would mean an awakening for me, that would also mean we could fight back.
"Yes," I say, with resolve in my tone, "I wish to be strong."
"Very well then, gain pride and be awakened." He said.
A bright flash of light blinded me, causing me to close my eyes. I raised my arms to cover my closed eyes as the light was still bright even after.
"Carry yourself as a warrior." The voice said to me.
I opened my eyes to find myself back in the forest, my body completely healed. No broken limbs, my ribs had been fixed completely, not even a scar on my body. I felt an unnatural energy surge in me, clawing, looking to be let out. I observed my body, moving my arms and legs, checking for any injuries but there really was none.
"Please, no!!!!!!" The little girls scream pulled me back to reality.
"Please somebody help!!!" She cried.
I immediately darted to help, feeling different, more powerful.
From the distance I could see the young girl being dragged by her hair, tears rolling down her eyes as she pleaded with them. At that moment, I felt rage overtake me, my heart began to pound and my teeth clenched in rage as I charged in. I felt a pulse of energy surge through me, down to my feet's and arms. With my fists clenched I threw a punch, I did not know why but it felt right even at that distance. In the blink of an eye I appeared next to the bulky man, landing a punch that sent him flying. He crashed into a large tree, his neck snapped at the impact.
Shocked, I stared at my hands, surprised by the power I had just exhibited. Where did that strength come from? What is this power I feel? In my state of thought, i hear the sound of a blade being unsheathed. I immediately turned to find the last man now holding a sword to the little girls neck.
"Stay back, don't come any closer." He said, his voice trembling. A coward, hiding behind a little girl. I stepped closer, testing his resolve.
"Stop…..I will kill her." He said, but I didn't believe him, I couldn't. His hands trembled violently and he was second guessing his own decision. I charged in , closing the distance swiftly and quickly landed a blow straight to the center of his face. I felt his face shatter under my knuckles as I sent him flying to the floor.
I stood, still shocked by this new found power, was I really awakened? My mind recalled the previous event . So he really was a god? Sango? Why was I awakened? These questions flooded my mind…..