The shadows of the woods grew darker as the canopies of intersecting branches above thicken like clouds. They were running and everything around them looked like a blur of colours.
They could hear the river nearby; they've been following it, hoping that it would lead them to the ruins. The cold wind blew hard on their faces like a slap of a ghost. Their skin shivered but the commotion inside both of them keeps them warm and alive.
They were panting and their throats dried from exhaustion but they can't stop now. Serra could still hear the sound of Leni's men chasing them. Serra wanted to cry but she can't bring herself to do it. It's like her tears were terrified as well, scared to come out in this cruel world.
They ran and ran without looking back. Rena was beside her, her eyes were g
The grasses grew thicker as they walked farther to the ruins, their eyes wandering at all direction, to check the ruins and to check for Reapers. Pieces of woods scattered everywhere, destroyed remains of wagons glittered on the ground like dusts.They walked forward and something snapped on Serra's feet. They both jumped; startled. They looked down and saw bones, human bones, withered and white scattered on the ground. There were bones and skulls, big and small ones. Serra swallowed and felt her heart twisted in pain.She remembered Niko telling them about the cave near the ruins. She turned to Rena."Do you know where's the cave Niko talked about?" she asked.Rena shook her head. "No" she answered. "I've never been here. Sometimes N
Mira dreamed that she's back in Sirka village. She found herself in their cabin. The familiar smell of the flowers fills her lungs, making her smile. She was sitting down in a hard wooden chair and in front of her was a table with a jar of fresh flowers at the center. Mira recognized the flowers, it is her favorites: roses in pink, red, and white, daisies, and morning glories. They're beautiful and smells so good.There were unwashed dishes that piled up at the sink; the flies enjoyed its feast. There's a boiling pot on the fire and white steam comes out from it. Mira guessed it's boiled potatoes. Her mother, Agatha, loved boiled potatoes and never grew tired of eating it.There are strips and bits of rusty metal on the side near the door. It was her father's, Simon is a blacksmith. He's the one making the patrol's weapons: spears, swor
Serra grabbed her sword and walked towards the corner, picking the flaming rock on her other hand. Rena followed her from behind, her dagger around her fingers."Wow" Rena said as they reached the cavern. She quickly wander around the space.Serra put the flaming rock above a stone and gazed at Rena who was studiosly looking around. Rena almost screamed at the sight of the skeleton."Heavens!" Rena exclaimed, looking at the bones. "Is that-""Yes" Serra said. "It is. He died here I guess"Rena studied it for a moment then dashed towards the water. She took a handful and drank. When she's done, she looked around again, her dark eyes gleamed in wonder.
The crowd was very loud; everyone were cheering and shouting but Mira can't hear the noise as her mind was focused on Haris. Her breathing fasten and her heart raced inside her chest. It was all she could see: Haris standing at the center of the arena, looking scared and lonely. Mira's mind seemed to blow in pieces."He is alive" she whispered with a cry.There was twenty of them. There were girls and boys of different ages. Haris still wore the same cloth he wore the day he left the village: a brown shirt but it looked ragged now and a pants.Haris didn't changed that much since she last saw him in the village. The same handsome face, thick brows, curly brown hair, and hard lean body. He was still gorgeous as ever. But there's something odd in his expression that wasn't there before.
Haris, the tall man and another two man were the only ones left alive. Haris was still at the corner, unnoticed, and the two man was fighting hand on hand, weaponless. Both were exhausted but still fighting. The tall man siezed the opportunity and advanced to them. He dashed towards them and swung hard his mace. The two man were sent flying and landed on the ground with a cry. They groaned in pain just as the tall man finished them by smashing their heads with the mace. Haris closed her eyes as he cannot bear to look at the head of the two man turned into a pulp.The crowd burst into cheering and applause. The tall man dropped his mace and roared in happiness as he assumed that he's the winner. The audience laughed at him and pointed at Haris who stood up and slowly took small steps towards the center.Haris was shaking. His nerves were
"Is that even edible?" Rena said."Yup. That's what I eat when I was here alone at the woods".Rena didn't answer and touched the dagger on her waist to check if it's still there.She then started to climb, flinging herself from one branch to another. Serra stared at her in awe as she climbed the tree with such speed and expertise."Wow" Serra exclaimed, her eyes following Rena. "How did you learn to climb like that"Rena looked down to her and picked a fruit then dropped it to Serra. "Practice" Rena said.Rena picked another and another and dropped them all to the ground. Serra gathered it all up and pooled it together. Moment after, Rena made her way down and jumped halfway fr
"Keep your eyes open" Rena said, looking around their surroundings. "We're near Nagili village and Leni's men are scattered in these woods".Serra nodded and followed Rena. They make quiet steps and walked under the starry sky. The sun already sets and the moon above shone bright along with the stars that looked like fireflies in the night sky. There were no clouds tonight and the perfect color of the universe compliments the beauty of the moon.They're both exhausted as they walked all day. After they killed the Reaper at the cave, they spent the night there and in the morning they walked immediately, no time to waste. Time is luxury when death is at your tail.Serra was behind Rena and was watching their back. Rena knew these woods well and she was right, Serra could smell the famili
It took them an hour to reached the back of the village safely. They moved quietly under the shades of the shadows of the tree. Fortunately, they made it safe and the watchers didn't catch them. They also didn't meet any of Leni's men or Reapers on their way, just that bird-transforming Badblood.The back of the Nagili village was thick with trees and the shadows there are more dark and cold. In the distance, Serra could see a glimpse of the Lake Tibor. Its water sparked in the moonlight. It is beautiful.The walls stood tall and high in front of them. There were no towers in here, just the torches lined above the wall. They quickly ran towards it and stopped."Okay" Rena said, panting. "We will find that hole. Niko covered it with a pile rocks".