• Help! Help us!


  

  Surrounded by flames that ate her home alive, a woman sat next to a young boy, desperately calling for help. The thick dark smoke made it impossible for her to navigate her eyes around and find an exit. Yet her hearing guided her and she managed to make out footsteps. Rapid ones. It sounded like a dozen soldiers hurrying into battle. And there were more noises. Screaming. People shouting for help, others begging for mercy. Others that struggled to breathe, others that drew their last breaths. Slashing, stabbing. Her eyes widened with desperation and her breathing fastened.

  

  
• Zykon! Zykon, please! Please, wake up!


  

  The boy gave no response. She placed her fingers on his neck and sensed a faint pulse, but he was still unconscious. Her forehead dripped with sweat and she felt the flames coming closer and closer. Standing up and trying to find a way out, all she managed to do was inhale more of the smoke. The woman started coughing hysterically, unable to control it. She moved her fist behind, smacking her back hard in an attempt to escape the cough and it eventually worked. Gasping for hair, she noticed the young boy’s thumb twitching.

  

  
• Zykon, ple-please w-wake up!


  

  Zykon groaned and coughed as he woke up. He buried his palms on the floor, using every ounce of power he had left to lift himself up and managed to do so with help from the woman.

  

  
• M-m-my boy, we need to… escape.


  

  The boy looked at the woman and noticed the twitching lips, the widened eyes, the heavy breathing and all of a sudden life surged through him, now completely aware of the situation he found himself in.

  

  
• Mama… what happened?


  
• We need to escape, no time for questions, zavi.


  

  They stood up and whirled their heads around, looking for an escape but all they could see were flames. Tall, all-encompassing flames that grew larger and came closer to them with each passing moment. The boy felt his heartbeat increasing and gripped the woman’s hand tightly. They both squinted their eyes and analyzed the room and a figure stormed across what looked like an opening. Zykon approached with his head lunged forward and his mouth opened slowly. Another figure appeared and disappeared in an instant and the boy’s eyes widened with excitement.

  

  
• Here!


  

  He yelled and caught the woman’s attention. As they approached, the flames grew even bigger, now almost reaching the second floor.

  

  
• We have to jump, zavi, it’s the only way!


  

  The woman grabbed his forearm and gazed into his eyes. She noticed the frown he showed as the boy tried to look for another way out.

  

  
• Listen to me! We have to jump, Zykon, or else we’ll burn alive in here!


  
• What if we don’t make it? What if we fall and land right in the fire, huh? What then?


  
• Zavi, I’m begging you, there is no other way! We’r- we-re going to die in here!


  

  The woman started coughing and as Zykon looked around, all he could see were flames that would not stop growing. The way out was right there but Zykon stood frozen in place. His mother was now on the ground, coughing uncontrollably, reaching with one palm towards the boy. As the boy whirled his torso around, he bounced between looking at his mother and the only escape he found. Tapping his fingers, he bit on his lower lip.

  

  
• Zavi, p-p-pl-e…ase


  

  The woman’s words were interrupted by her inability to breathe. Zykon ducked and grabbed her, placing one of the woman’s arm around his neck and steadying both of them, they leapt in the flames.

  ~

  

  
• Up, then down, up again.


  

  The sound of metal clashing caught everyone’s attention, except for Amixia. Glancing towards the inner courtyard, she noticed two men dueling, sweat dripping from their foreheads.

  

  
• Still not interested, Amixia?


  

  Startled, the girl turned to meet the voice that spoke in a calm tone. A wide, relaxed grin appeared before her.

  

  
• Don’t do that, Wymmel! I’m easily startled, you know that.


  
• I’m just teasing you, sweetheart.


  

  The man chuckled and placed his palm on her shoulder. He sat next to the girl and noticed the dismantled sword placed in front of her. Catching her azure eyes, Wymmel noticed the frustration in them.

  

  
• How is it coming along?


  

  Amixia lifted her head slowly and sighed. She felt a strong urge to throw everything on the ground and give up on ever trying to assemble that blasted piece of metal. The girl already knew that skills were acquired in time and she hadn’t been around Wymmel for that long, but she couldn't help herself. Amixia placed her thumb in her mouth, eating away at her cuticle.

  

  
• I just… I don’t… Argh!


  

  As the table got shaken up by the girl’s fists, Wymmel lifted his arms from it, troubled by the scene unfolding before him. For a brief moment, he saw himself in her and the man remembered the struggles he endured when it came to assemble his very first weapon.

  

  
• It’s ok. You can do this.


  
• Can I, Wymmel? ‘Cause… it doesn’t look like I can.


  

  The girl’s palms pointed towards the unfinished sword that laid on the table. Wymmel chuckled.

  

  
• No-one said it was going to be easy.


  
• Yeah, well… I wasn’t expecting it to be this hard either.


  

  

  
• Amixia, you’ve barely begun working here. Be patient and you’ll see-


  
• I am patient! she yelled


  

  In an instant, all the attention was diverted towards their discussion. Amixia looked around and noticed everyone’s eyes glancing in their direction. Her eyes widened and she could hear her heart throbbing faster. Spinning her head rapidly, desperately searching for the quickest way out, her breathing intensified. Wymmel noticed her erratic movements, frowned and gently placed a hand on the girl’s palm. Amixia gasped and withdrew her arm, unable to control herself. Turning his head towards the blacksmiths, Wymmel waved dismissively and they all resumed what they were doing prior. Suddenly, the shop came to life, the deafening sound of metal clashing resumed and everyone went on about their lives. Wymmel sighed, relieved that Amixia would now get the chance to calm down, but as he turned his head again, towards her, the situation was worsening. The girl now had her face in her palms, with eyes opened wide as she just saw a corpse. Beneath the table they sat at, legs moved left and right, hitting it occasionally. Spotting this, the man scratched his beard and raised his eyebrows. “What’s wrong with you, child?”

  Now shaking violently, Amixia couldn’t erase that scene from her mind. How everyone looked at her. Why was everyone looking? What did she do? Why does she feel her breathing heavier all of a sudden? Has she made a mistake? That’s why everyone looked? Were they pitying her? Were they making fun of her? She wasn’t good, that she knew. But there was no reason to make fun of her, was it? Why do these gawks look increasingly cold… more dark and twisted… more evil? Gasping for air while her heart throbbed ferociously, she grabbed her shirt where her heart was placed and pulled hard. The images repeated inside her mind, getting twisted, dark and gritty. Closing her eyes and focusing on the now, trying to regain composure, Amixia only made the situation worse. “I… I… can’t breathe… I… I-“

  Then all of a sudden, nothing. She opened her eyes violently and breathed in, desperately grabbing onto air. To her right, a palm was placed on her shoulder. A heavy, strong palm. Unwinding, Amixia was able to look behind her and noticed everyone doing their jobs, like nothing ever occurred. It was like she vanished from the shop and only now reappeared. The palm placed on her was accompanied by another, and not long after that, her body was trapped into a hug. A warm and welcoming one. A calming one.

  

  
• You’re ok. whispered Wymmel, caressing her long, leather black curly hair


  

  As the girl heard Wymmel’s voice, her eyes turned red and tears streamed down from them in an instant. She hugged the man back tightly and feeling her lips quiver, the girl allowed herself to cry.

  ~

  Under the watchful moon, Gakeh stood at the gates, waiting for the squad to return. Holding his arms crossed and gazing towards the woods, he squinted his eyes. Nothing seemed to emerge out of the dark woods. Those sons of whores. Always taking their precious time with special cargos such as these. That’s all they were good at anyway, pillaging and fucking, fucking and pillaging. No greater purpose in sight. Just ravaging through the lands like animals.

  “I’ll kill you jerks myself, if I don’t see you in about five minutes.”

  Then, out of the forest, came a caravan accompanied by two horse riders. After taking in their faces, his body released all the tension it gathered. Walking up the gentle hill, the caravan stopped at the gates, right in front of Gakeh.

  

  
• What took you so long?


  
• Humans and their stubbornness. responded a raucous voice


  
• Move it, soldier. Gakeh growled


  

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  The soldiers dismounted their horses and moved behind the caravan, removing the piece of cloth that concealed what was hidden within. Their mouths turned into grins at the sight in front of them. Leaning to the right, Gakeh noticed what made them feel this way. Human women, their mouths covered with cloth ripped from their garments, with their hands and legs tied by thick string. As the women turned, he noticed the desperation in their widened eyes, the way they struggled to escape their captives, the way they wanted to scream, but couldn’t. The way they used their eyes to beg him for salvation. He straightened himself and slowly turned his head the other way. “Why do I always have to go through this?”

  

  
• Drop the cargo in the captain’s chambers. Gakeh shouted


  
• Aw, already? We thought maybe… we could have a little fun. the other responded, laughing deviously


  
• You wanna tell that to the captain? Be my guest.


  
• Argh, you’re right. Captain’s orders come before… pleasure.


  

  He caressed one of the woman’s cheeks, grinning. They violently grabbed them, placing them on their shoulders. Two in one’s hands, two in the other’s. Striding past Gakeh, the humans shook their bodies fiercely as inaudible noises came from their sealed mouths. He watched them distancing themselves more and more. Deep inside him, he pitied these women. They were innocent prey surrounded by the most vicious predator of all. As they got inside the village and the gate started closing behind them Gakeh sighed and straightened his back. Whatever made the commander content. Whatever kept him busy and his desires satisfied.

  ~

  

  
• How was work today?


  

  A benevolent voice, followed by the closing of a wooden creaky door made Amixia lift her head from the ground. As footsteps grew close, a faint smile appeared on the girl’s face. From behind a dusty wooden wall, emerged a tall man, with deep chocolate eyes and a full brown beard. Scratching his long, swept back hair, the man grinned at her. Lifting his arms outward, he signaled for Amixia to come to him. They embraced as the man kissed her forehead.

  

  
• Not good. she responded in a disheartening voice


  
• What happened?


  

  As she felt the warmth coming from the man’s body, Amixia relaxed and let out a deep sigh.

  

  
• Wymmel came to see how I was doing and then I… I said I was not doing well and then he said that it’s ok, but it wasn’t and then I yelled and everyone looked at me and-


  

  The man shushed her.

  

  
• Love, you’re alright now. I think it’s time you relax a little. You’re tense.


  
• Yeah… I guess I need to relax. I just can’t!


  
• Well, now you can. That’s why I’m here.


  

  Chuckling, the man stepped back and gazed into her eyes. He took in her childishly chubby cheeks, her short nose, even the three freckles right above her left eye. Lifting his palm up, the man placed it onto her cheek. Amixia felt the warmth of his palm and shut her eyes, beaming.

  

  
• And I believe I have the best way of purging this sorrow of yours. A warm, pleasant bath, made possible by your one and only Nakol.


  

  The man bowed and they laughed childishly in unison.

  

  
• I could certainly use one… those swords don’t forge by themselves that’s for sure.


  
• Well then, undress and allow me provide you with what we peasants only heard about in the tales of old… regal treatment.


  

  Whirling away, Nakol gave her a devious smile, before making his way towards the bathing chamber. Amixia never lost sight of him for a moment and as the creaky door closed behind him, she placed her arms around her and smiled as the thought of Nakol arose in her mind. How can she ever hope to repay him for all he’s done for her? All the love, the compassion he showed her throughout the years? “Hopefully, he’ll be happy to hear the news.” she thought to herself, as she stroked her belly.

  ~

  Striding in the main hall, Gakeh noticed the guards waiting outside the captain’s chamber. Approaching them, he saluted in the markin way - unsheathing his sword, plunging it into the ground, kneeling and quoting “I am unshackled”. The soldiers followed his lead, they unsheathed their weapons, lifted them up and quoted “We are unshackled”.

  

  
• Is the commander done yet?


  
• No. one of the soldiers responded, in a discordant voice


  
• Have any of the human women come out yet?


  
• No.


  

  Scratching his short, even hair, the only thought that crossed Gakeh’s mind was that the commander had a little too much fun. This was unusual, even for him.

  

  
• He’s been there for some time now. What is he doing?


  
• We do not question our commander, Gakeh. Have you forgotten that?


  

  The warriors frowned as they gazed deeply into his eyes. Their pitch black, purple veiny eyes locked onto him. Those hollow, dark eyes could make a human piss himself twice in a moment, but that was precisely what made the difference for Gakeh. He was already fairly accustomed to them.

  

  
• I see. Gakeh responded calmly


  

  Out of nowhere, an ear-deafening scream came from behind the guards. Startled, the soldiers whirled and busted in the chamber, breaking the wooden door in the process. As it slammed on the ground violently, the door revealed the inside of their commander’s chamber. On the floor stood bodies of humans, men and women, naked and bruised, some of them beaten beyond recognition. Whatever soul once used to reside within them was now long gone. There were too many to count but as far as Gakeh could tell, they were more than a dozen. Ponds of blood next to the corpses made the entire room look like a slaughterhouse. In the not that far distance, a woman crawled towards them, lifting her arm forward, begging to be saved. Behind her, a short figure emerged. The darkened room made it hard to discern who exactly was the figure, but as soon as it limped forward, the soldiers realized. The woman cried and screamed, desperately trying to escape his grasp. Gakeh pitied the human, noticed her face scarred and bruised, the bumps under her eyes, the blood pouring from her arms and legs. His body tensed and felt the urge to do something. But as he locked eyes with their commander, he quickly came to his senses. The dark purple, white haired markin, with a bulging belly and a missing leg, grinned viciously towards the soldiers.

  

  
• Can you believe that? (the captain asked) This pile of… unworthy, disgusting flesh… told me that I was a monster. Like… (he scratched his chin, slowly leaning in front of the soldiers) what was she expecting? An angel?


  

  As the commander began to laugh, the two guards nervously followed him. Gakeh on the other hand, stared down the captain. Noting the blood dripping from his right hand, he leaned slowly to catch a glimpse of what was hidden there. The light coming from the main hall, revealed the reflection of a cleaver knife, covered completely in blood.

  

  
• Oh-h-h… poor thing.


  

  In an instant, the laughter stopped and the room fell silent. The sudden change of the commander’s mood, made the guards swallow dryly. Even the human stopped crying, and Gakeh noted that a terrifying feeling gripped her hard. Kalah locked his widened eyes on the woman and launched forward, falling on her body, crushing the poor soul in the process. Without hesitation, he proceeded to slash the human repeatedly, even though she seemed dead already. And he kept on slashing over and over again. The commander slashed ferociously until a new pond of blood formed under the human, uniting with the others. A joyous grin formed on the commander’s mouth and soon after, he brayed. Kalah suddenly stopped and started cleaning his knife, using his own garments.

  

  
• Well, I guess I had my share of fun for tonight. Gakeh, clean this mess up.


  

  Lifting his gaze from the poor human, Gakeh scowled at the captain. As he cleaned his bloody knife, Kalah began humming. The carnage he left in his wake did not seem to bother the commander whatsoever. So relaxed and so detached, so heartless, it looked like just another ordinary day. Gakeh was accustomed to this sort of behavior from the commander, but never did he go this far. Noticing no one moved an inch, the commander’s humming came to a stop, as he slowly tilted his head towards them.

  

  
• Are you… expecting a please and a thank you? Get to work, markin! he shouted, startling the guards


  

  Gakeh remained unfazed by his anger. As the guards circled around, facing the way out of the commander’ chambers, they lumbered out of the room. Left alone with Kalah, he sighed and bowed.

  

  
• At once… my lord. he murmured


  

  ~

  

  
• Watch out!


  

  As he heard the shout, Zykon pushed his mother away from him and ducked. A blade met the ground where they previously sat. He lifted his head and before him stood a tall figure, completely shrouded by a dark cloak. The figure lifted the blade swiftly, dug his right foot in the ground and prepared to strike the boy again. Zykon noticed, placed his feet on the opponent’s leg and pushed himself out of harm’s way. The boy managed to get up and touched his garments, desperately searching for a weapon. He peeked down and found nothing. The boy felt his breathing intensifying as he whirled around, looking for anything that could help. The figure saw the boy getting distracted and ran towards him, preparing to plunge the sword in him. Zykon heard the footsteps and whirled and his eyes widened as he saw the blade approaching his guts rapidly. On his right, the boy managed to make out a soldier running and before he could understand who it was, it made contact with the figure, both crashing on the ground. His mother saw him and the terrified look on his face, stumbled as she got up and ran towards the boy, hugging him.

  

  
• Zavi, it’s ok, you’re ok! We need to run, we need to escape the city!


  

  The woman’s shaking hand grabbed the boy’s and as they were preparing to run, they stopped in their tracks, watching what unfolded before them. A massive battle was proceeding, between the city guard and other cloaked figures, similar to the one that attacked them. Buildings were falling on the ground, crushing both sides, as well as civilians. The flames made no difference between whom it chose to eat as they spread more and more. Startled by an ear-deafening scream, they glanced to their left and saw a peasant woman being stabbed by three figures, alongside two children. His mother gasped as the boy twitched and looked away, only to lay his eyes on a guard being decapitated. The whole scene looked like a slaughterhouse and fear paralyzed both the Zykon and his mother. “Where is master Delemon?” the boy thought to himself.

  The woman grabbed his hand to duck oncoming bolts fired in their direction and they both fell on the ground. As the boy lifted his head, he saw two cloaked figures reloading their crossbows. His eyes widened as he looked for an escape route to get his mother to safety, but to his left he saw a guard being stabbed and to his right there was a towering wall with no physical way of climbing it. His mother groaned and as he looked at her, he noticed her head dripping blood, possibly from the fall they endured. “God, help us please, aid us in our struggle! Get us out of here!” Zykon shouted in his mind as sweat dripped from his forehead onto his lips. He stared at the two hooded figures as they placed the bolts on the string. They slowly lifted the weapons up and placed them on their shoulders and the figures took their firing position. Both of them locked eyes on the boy and they noticed the fear in his eyes, the trembling of his hands, how his whole body looked soaked in sweat and could not help themselves but smirk. In the blink of an eye, the invaders wasted no more time and pulled the trigger. As the bolts traveled in the air towards Zykon, he shut his eyes and called on his God once again. “God, save us, please. Save us! We need your help!”. Out of nowhere, the boy felt a gust and felt a presence arrive in front of him. He heard two metal clanks and his eyebrows twitched but felt nothing. No bolt pierced through his body. Zykon placed his hands on his chest, on his belly, on his head and was able to feel his whole body unharmed. He opened his eyes alarmed and saw the back of a tall, lean male standing before him. The man had long slicked back golden hair and wore a silvery golden cape with the face of Hrrysthoo and the inscription “My God, His Guardian” written beneath it. The boy gasped as he realized who the person was and yelled out loud “Master Delemon!”