The moonlight illuminated 3 figures sheltered under the covers of thick branches of leaves. No soul in sight for hundreds of miles. Their departure went unnoticed amongst the many who seek refuge further up north where the flames of war has yet to reach.
"Hey girl? You wanted to know of the world? Then, let me enlighten you." Elena whispered her voice hidden by the sounds of the night. If one wasn't to concentrate, it's easy to lose her voice.
"The current world has no king. With the flames of rebellion shining brightly towards the end of the monarchy, several heroes fight for that power. It is only right for the monarchy to end for if not now..., many would die before the next chance.
You may not understand nor remember the various injustices unresolved in the hands of the previous nobles...There are various factions fighting all around the place. With the common people displaced as numbers in the war as fodder for the rise of a king.
But.
Surely, the end won't be a monarchy. "
'or we'll be doomed.' Is what she left unsaid.
There was certainty in Elena's voice as though she had seen it. There was also knowledge beyond her years that nagged at her. They were unordinary, yes, but she can't place where that significant anomaly was.
"We just have to survive this war to see a happy end." Elena ended at that thought but there was a hint of something in her voice which she couldn't place.
"Regardless..., it's quite impolite to keep referring to you as girl. Have you remembered your name?" Elena asked, her gaze lost in the stars.
"No." A clipped reply was what she could muster. It didn't bother her to not have a name but eventually a need would definitely arise.
"Would you care to name me?" Upon hearing her request Elena slowly turned her gaze towards her.
"A name?" Elena seemed to be weighing something before returning her gaze back towards the sky.
"Aris. Would like be called Aris?" She asked
"Does that name mean anything?"
"The guiding star." Aris gazed up and saw the stars. In another world, the sky would be too polluted to see a sea of shimmering lights. In this world, you'd be captured by a beauty that truly takes your breath away.
Hill was silently listening throughout the conversation. He was resting his eyes and sharpening his other senses. His sister really has a knack of getting into troublesome things. Giving a name would mean attachment. Meaning, it was already beyond him for any choice that involved abandoning the child. For him, in this chaotic world, it's hard to go against the wishes of his sister especially when there's no threat nor harm.
He also opened his eyes and gazed up. He wished at the moment he wasn't so cynical. For all he could think of was how, such sight wouldn't feed you, which in the current times, is the difference between life and death.
Dawn slowly illuminated the magical world. The trio were already up and about, navigating the complex roads towards the nearest city.
"May I ask where are we going?"
Aris asked the siblings, as they had looked like they had a destination in mind. They traveled nonstop from the earliest of the morning and only stopping to get the needed rest for the day. It's a wonder that they weren't in danger throughout their journey.
"Eron, a village up north. We'll see if we can meet up with our uncle." Elena answered looking ahead.
"We're already quite near, I suppose."
Hill stopped and the roofs of some houses came into view. Just a few miles from where they're standing, and the village would be reached. Thus, they continued to walk.
...
"Elena! Hill!" A man's voice shouted from afar. A middle-aged man in brown shirt and slacks waved at them. As they came nearer, the man ran up and hugged the siblings.
"You must have come from quite a distance." The man said quite softly with a hint of affection. The scene was quite touching as they were enveloped with a loving aura. Elena somehow had a gentler smile and even Hill had a little smile escape him.
"Now, who's this?" The man's gaze turned towards Aris, kind yet appraising.
"A child Hill saved." Elene said her smile directed towarda her brother.
"Oh!" The man just smiled and left it at that, though he smiled teasingly towards the boy. He wasn't one to mind other's business. Yet, it seems their mother's kindness still blessed the children even though..., even though the war does not permit so. For a moment, the man's eyes dimmed.
"Aris, ths is our uncle, Ren." Emily introduced while Ren went near Aris and offered a hand.
"Nice to meet you Aris."
"Nice to meet you, uncle." Aris gave a slight smile towards the kind uncle and shook his hand.
The group started to walk their way through the village and past the entrance. Aris and Ren walked side-by-side as the siblings fell behind a step. The village was quite large and seemed to hold a hundred of people. It was quite a walk as they passed through a market, fountain, some stores and houses. Although, there were structures abandoned here and there, the village still seemed quite full compared to the place where the siblings originally lived.
After quite a distance they reached a simple wooden house that had its own garden. The family really had a similar down to earth style.
"Come in! Come in!" Ren eagerly invited the children to his home. He went in and busied himself briefly with setting some things aside.
"It's been so long since I had someone over, I didn't expect I'd see you when I was wandering along the walls." He smiled sheepishly.
"Is that so?" Elena smiled mysteriously at her uncle. They looked at each other seemingly sharing a joke.
"Oh, what else could it be dearest Elena! Put your things down and sit."
Ren pulled his niece and sat her down on the newly free from clutter chair.
"Actually, I want to buy some things I saw in the town. I'll be back in a bit."
Hill stated while he pulled on the strap of his cargo and set it down besides the door.
"Oh! Then, I'll come with you." Elena stood up to go with.
"You should rest, sister. I'll be quick." Hill looked briefly at his sister with a tone that had finality.
"Then I'll come with!"
Ren swiftly grabbed the shoulders of his nephew despite his protests.
"Aris, Elena, would you like us to get anything?"
Ren inquired as they headed for the door. After seeing that the two shook their heads, they headed out. Well, Ren pulled his nephew out and about.
"We'll be right back!"
Ren was interesting to meet. Aris liked the man despite only meeting him today. He was a lively character, a stark contrast with the mostly quiet siblings. They'd do well with him around.
...
It's hard to breathe. Aris couldn't breathe.
Again?
Why was it so fuckin' hard to have a normal day?
There was a small whine that escaped her. What happened? One moment Elena and her were talking...then, then, her ears started ringing.
What were they talking about?
Another minute passed and something flashed...
Elena's eyes shone before she hunched over, and everything crashed.
Ah, how could they forget?
How could they relax?
Why were they so careless?
No one was safe in war.
Bombs were falling all throughout the village. Unfortunately for them, the house they were in was the first to be hit. Aris didn't even think. In the split second Elena was hunched over, and everything was falling — Aris pushed the distracted girl away. It was fortunate that Elena was saved from the debris that blasted. It was unfortunate that Aris was trapped under it.
"ARIS! ARIS!" Whatever stupor that caused Elena to be distracted was gone. The place they were in was in wrecks. The child... the child was in a miserable state. No, it shouldn't be. The future has changed. But dear Aris, oh dear Aris... Elena tremblingly walked over to Aris stumbling on herself. She was furiously pulling whatever was trapping Aris. It was how Hill and Ren saw her after returning and settling the debris as fast as they could. She couldn't hear them, her ears was ringing. Hill pulled her away, he was saying something... But she couldn't hear... the child... SAVE THE CHILD
"Sis! SIS! We have to go!" Hill pulled Elena with much effort. Elena was disheveled, her hands was bleeding and there was also blood on her clothes. No! He touched it and what he feared came true. Elena was actively bleeding. He doesn't know, no, there's so much that's wrong right now! They have to go.
"Aris! Aris!" Elena muttered while trying to get back to digging the debris. Hill looked at the direction Elena was trying to get back at and oh, Aris. Oh no, no, no, no.
"Hill! Get out of here!"
Ren's shout snapped Hill from his short inattention. No, there was too many wrongs. He had to do the next steps right. His sister. Save her. Get her out of here. The enemy is nearing. At that, he swiftly pulled Elena out with less struggle. Elena was turning weak from blood loss. At that he carried her and ran. Out of the wreck. Trying to focus. Uncle. What about his uncle? And as if hearing his thoughts, Ren shouted from behind.
"Don't look back. I'll live and die with this place. Give this to Elena!" Ren threw something that Hill caught before proceeding to flee.
There should be no hesitations. No hesitations. Elena is in danger. My sister is in danger. Hill couldn't think about anything else. If he had, he won't be well. He just left 2 people to die. No, his sister. She needs medical attention. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
The boy disappeared through the streets and into the forest. The danger unlocking the potential hidden on him. Hiding them from the watching enemies. Afterall, he was a mage.
"Aris, ....aw....ke, stay awake!" Ren continued the work his good niece had left. While he had been prepared to die while stalling for some time for the children to escape, maybe, he could help another.
"Run." Aris could only weakly mutter to this uncle. She couldn't understand how fast a good day could turn bad. Ah, and Elena, it seems she was wrong, there was no fortunate outcome. The blast must have sent debris that injured Elena. An injury that might as well be life-threatening.
'I hope she lives, I hope they live' Aris sincerely wished since the family was full of gentleness. Besides, maybe, when she dies, she'll return back. Maybe she was just in a coma at a hospital and this was all just a dream. A dream to cope since it seemed similar to the last book she read. Hmm? How is it similar? Aris wonders.
"Aris! ARIS!" Ren was still trying to get her out. No, no. That's a futile attempt. Even if he finally got her out, something impaled her left leg. She couldn't go that far. He should run. He should live so that the children will have someone to rely on. Don't waste your time here. There's nothing good with dying. The kind uncle should live.
"Go...Pl....ease. please. Go!" Aris mustered some strength to say.
"Ah, but Aris. I can't leave." Ren smiled, a kind one.
"It seems that we can only be buried today. Try to play dead, maybe you'll have hope." Ren almost whispered the last thing before he turned and stood.
The enemies must have come.
Aris was in a miserable state again. She was bleeding everywhere, again just like when she first arrived. She felt that the weight on her must be much lighter. If she had both of her legs, maybe she could go. But..., reality is far from that.
As blood dripped and limited her vision, she almost couldn't see. Almost. Just almost.
Ren was fighting someone. The fight was abnormal and as if he could predict what his opponent's move was. Yet, even though he fought well, he was growing weaker.
No.
No! Ren! Why couldn't you just run! He... he was taking the fight away, away from her but before he could... a gunshot ended it all.
Ren died.
Then, all Aris saw was white.
~~~
Post
She couldn't help but stare out the window. In this world, the moon shines quite brightly. They had decided to rest for one night before beginning their journey. The girl noticing the exhaustion of her brother and the child he brought.
The children that saved her seems to have given up their bed for her. There was a simple cloth that lay on the floor where the boy slept. Meanwhile, the girl just sat and laid her head on the side of the bed.
These children were of tragic fates. One where she couldn't fathom and dig so deeply. There was only the two of them, and no one else. There were signs of forced maturity seen in those unfavoured by faith and they functioned dependently.
Also, the boy...the boy, he seemed familiar?
But from where?
"hic"
Aris was broken out of her thoughts when she heard a small sob.
Ah, sweet children.
How the world could be the most cruel to you.
Elena was crying silently in her sleep. A nightmare perhaps. Aris couldn't help but reach out and pat the child's head gently.
'You're okay. You're okay, I'm here, dear child.' Whispers that the wind carried, quiet and unheard.
~~~
~ À suivre