Here's a continuation of the first book, Spirit Fire.  Hope you enjoy! 

And please feel free to leave feedback on either story, thanks!

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    Shay's body ached. The fight for her life that had happened only last night was really taking its toll on her.  She had bruises in places she didn't noticed she'd been hit at. The bandage held the cut she had on her arm, but in all nothing was too severe; she was alive. And so was Shezearin, her partner...or less like partner and more like part-body guard and a friend she had grown close to. Zee, she called him for short. Zee had exceptionally strong powers and was known through this land as the "zeome'" it was a warrior's title he'd always had, even though he himself never quite knew what it meant. Only that it described one who wields his unique powers.

    And as the zeome', he was never missed, carrying its sign, Zee had peculiar red colored eyes. Not in a scary demonic looking way, but Shay could admit to herself that she found them dazzling. They were red's mixed with shades of brown and it all ran naturally in his eyes and even matched the glints of red you could catch in his locked hair in the light.

    Now, he sat next to her on the bed of a guest room, injured and weak. Last night, they had successfully fought off his former master, Kavothar who had appeared solely to take Shay, the human, in this land called Dezaria. As she was kidnapped here only weeks ago and had escaped. It turned out that Kavothar's true motive was to take and kill her in order to steal the power she never knew she had: the Cerulean Ari. Everyone in this strange world possessed ari, a power which came in many forms.

    But Shezearin fought the man off, but as a result, he was drained and barley conscious. Shay was left to fight off mad man's minions and get them away, which involved them nearly drowning in a stormy river. In the end Shay had also overused all her energy and blacked out along with Zee.

    Then she woke up here in Surai Village, their destination this whole time. A village Zee had known, that contained a team of warriors that he assured would help her find a way to get back home. If she had arrived in this world called Riav through a strong power of some sort, there must be more out there, right? And this team of warriors/travelers would know how to help. But right now she was just thankful that these warriors had managed to come to their rescue in last night's storm.

    The door opened in the guest room and through it walked a man probably a few inches taller than Shezearin. Behind him was a woman followed by the small girl, Sa'li.

    "Ah, Shezearin you're up. And so is your friend." The man spoke. He had brown skin and sleek long hair that fell down past his shoulders. His hair was dark brown, almost black. A few locks were coiled in a texture rougher then twists but softer then dreads, and small golden rings wrapped around those strands.

    His short sleeved shirt exposed a muscular build as he folded powerful arms across his chest. But there was kindness in his soft brown eyes as he looked at her with   welcome.

    "So you're the human I've heard about. You must have gone through quite a struggle back there last night. Judging by Shezearin's condition, I'd say he owes you a lot. I'm impressed." he smiled with approval. "Welcome to Surai."

    "Thank you." Shay smiled back. "It was you that came for us?"

    "Yes I did."

    "Thank you. Thank you so much."

    He held a hand out to stop her. "It's our pleasure. I'm Raijen by the way." So this was him, the leader Zee had told her about.

    He continued. "Shezearin had sent a message some days ago about you coming here so I've been on the lookout."

    "You did?" Shay turned to Zee.

    He nodded. "At the pythorn village, when I left you in the store."

    Raijen continued. "Ezrene here said she sensed something funny about the stream. That she felt a tremor of power that came not too far from there. So we went to investigate."

    He gestured to the woman standing by the door next to him. She was pretty tall for a female, with a smooth complexion of very light brown on a skinny, long and lengthy shaped body; like a model's. She wore long gloves a sleeveless shirt and a type of clothed miniskirt with a tie around her waist. Tights ran under her boots. Her hair was a sandy blondish brown that hung in feathery strands to the length of her chin. And her eyes were a pale light brown and with a slight almond shape to them.

    "As usual, Raijen needed me to track, but we found you." she said with a grin.

    "Yeah give yourself the credit but I did all the carrying." Raijen said in retaliation.

    "But sure, I guess together we brought you two back." He turned back to Shay. "But anyway. Formally, we are the Surai warriors, fighters and overseers of the town of Surai; an organization of defense. And being qualified as top notch travelers, we also respond to aid of paying outsiders, usually for escorts, guards, or retrieval missions.

    "Shezearin had briefly explained to me the situation and so I found this case... interesting. And so I've agreed to help you. The only pay I wish to see is the possibility of some knowledge being gained from this. You see, your predicament is one of a kind and may be linked to a strong study of mine. But we'll talk about the situation later. It's best you get acquainted with everyone."

    "She's met Zairick already." Sa'li added flatly.

    "How many of you are there?" Shay asked.

    "Five." said Raijen, "Of the main warriors that is. We do have help from the village here and there and a few trainees but we are the official warriors. You'll get to know everyone soon enough. The guest room you woke up in is yours. And for now, feel free to explore a little first since you're up. It's still only late morning."

    Shay nodded an okay. She opened her mouth to speak, but paused. She and the others all turned their attention to Zee when he moved himself to the end of the bed, about to get up.

    Seeing everyone's eyes, he spoke. "Well since Shay's fine now, I should get ready to be on my way."

    Shay found herself staring at him, speechless.

    "You're leaving already?" said Ezreane.

    Zee nodded silently. "I thank you all for your help but there is no reason for me to stay. It's probably best I do leave." His eyes narrowed at whatever dark reasoning he held in his mind.

    "Shezearin." Shay spoke slowly. He raised his head and set his deep ruby eyes on her.

    She didn't know how to start, "But I thought you didn't have to... I mean now you don't..." her words stumbled out pathetically.

    Despite her struggle for words, Zee already understood. "Kavothar isn't a problem now. Though there still is a chance he might find me here if he is looking for me."

    "But he can't track you now." she spoke quietly.

    "That's not it. That battle happened close by. If he really wanted to find me, eventually he'd check here. But that's not the case since you are his complete focus now. And he's injured to begin with. After this blow and the loss of his best right hand servant he will have to recalculate everything carefully and won't be making a move anytime soon. But he has another disadvantage because he wouldn't know where you'd be by then."

    "So if he's not the reason then...why?"

    "It would be best." His low voice said after a moment passed. He then added in an even lower one. "Besides, I need time to clear my head now."

    "Wait," Raijen cut in. "So Kavothar; isn't that the guy you..."he wasn't sure how to label the man. "Well him, he isn't a problem anymore?"

    Zee shook his head, body completely still his elbows rested on his knees so that his knuckles supported his chin. "I've been freed. That's what happened before you found us." he said without emotion. His mind seemed to be in a completely different place.

    But as for Shay's mind, it was pondering over Zee's motives. His last reason she understood. But what she didn't understand was why staying here for at least a couple days was so bad now that he was free from Kavothar. He said himself that this was the village he felt most comfortable in.

    After some silence, it was Raijen that spoke up. "Well Shezearin old friend," he said putting a hand on his shoulder. "You may do what you wish afterwards. I won't stand in your way since I've seen very well what happens to those that do." he laughed. "But as for now, speaking as a friend, captain of the Surai Warriors and overseer of the town you find yourself in now, I can't let you leave. Not at least for another two days when you have regained more of your strength."

    Shay turned to Raijen after hearing his words and she felt instant admiration for this guy. He was strong, proud and what seemed to be a pretty noble friend. And that was a lot to get after just meeting a person.

    He continued on. "Besides, look at you. I know who you are and all, but it would be just cruel of me to allow you to leave on your own in this condition. If anyone attacked you right now outside the village even you'd be in some trouble."

    â€‹Shezearin eyed him challengingly and they both held each other's stares in a showdown of will and strength. After a long moment of their silent battle of squinting eyes, Shay saw a smirk appear on Raijen's face and Zee's stone gaze softened.

    "Nothing's changed of you." Raijen said shaking his head with a smile. Then he turned to his side at the rest of his comrades. "Ezreane you can take Shay and show her around some. Sa'li I need you to whip up another bottle of herbal healing formula. I need to run another re-analysis of his ari energy to make sure its recovering properly."

    He turned to Zee. "And as for you, you need to lie back down."

    Zee glared at him but not in the harsh way Shay expected but more of a competitive way. "You don't order me around Raijen."

    The leader chuckled. "Oh I already know that. And right now, I see clearly that no one does." he said with a prideful smile, offering acknowledgment of Zee's acomplishment. In return Shezearin gave a nod of silent thanks.

    Shay didn't know the history between these two, but they seemed to have some sort of understanding of friendship. It was great to see that in all this, Zee had a friend after all; that there were people who didn't look down or shun him in fear.

    "Besides, Shezearin." Raijen spoke. "You may be the zeome' but in this condition even you wouldn't be able to touch me in this state. So you should be the one to back down."

    "Yeah for today Raijen." Zee snorted and climbed back towards the bed. "But don't get ahead of yourself. Today may be the only day you could beat me."

    â€‹Raijen snorted back and looked towards Ezreane and Shay. Sa'li was already gone. "Go ahead Shay. My test for him will only be a minute and then he could join us if he wants to."

    "Okay." Shay said and began to follow Ezreane out the door.

    "I'm well enough to join them now if I wanted." she heard Zee say behind her to Raijen.

    "Nope. Not 'till we test your condition first."

    Zee sighed frustratingly. "I told you I'm fine. I don't need help."

    "Well maybe not but it still won't hurt."

 

 

    â€‹Ezrean had given her a brief venture of the Surai Warrior's home. And the house was huge. It was apparently four floors and very wide; the biggest home in the village they said. Shay compared it to a small version of batman's hide out but only above ground and in the open.

    The top floor consisted of bedrooms, guest rooms, and any extras. Their large library took up most of the third floor, while a few lounge and study rooms occupied the rest. The second floor was on ground with the kitchen and other living rooms along with the front desk at the two main front doors, it was where most business and professional visits were handled. But the basement Shay hadn't yet to explore. That was where the training room was held, and apparently some sort of laboratory or work room.

    At the end of the short tour Ezreane had brought Shay to the kitchen. It was large with bright hard stone glazed floors and with a center table, near the sink for the food. Every item including sinks and refrigerators, like everything else she's encountered, seemed similar to what she could expect in the human world only made of some different Riavn technology. Mostly, technology here was replaced with some sort of ari powered stones instead of the electricity that she knew. It was amazing how the two worlds were still so similar; having so many of the same ideas and visions in their technology.

    The two of them sat down at the stools by the table along the wall that was shaped like a bar. Already there was the obnoxious Zairick that she met earlier, sitting down and munching on a piece of fruit.

    "Sit." Ezreane told her. "I'm sure you're hungry. I'll get something for you."

    Shay sat down next to him and waited, actually she was starving. After a moment Ezrene returned with a plate filled with colorful fruits and some hot strips of meats on the sides of them. She sat them on the table and allowed the two of them to dig in.

    "Hey Ezreane," Zairick complained. "Isn't there any for me?"

    "Well you aren't a guess. There might be some left." she said before biting into a piece of meat. "You can get it yourself anyway. You were already here."

    "Yeah but how was I supposed to know where you kept that secret stash of food?"

    "That's the point. I figured, that if I made it then I get the last helping, so I can decide to put my food somewhere you and any other greedy person wouldn't take it." she folded her arms. "I decided Shay can have some since she's a new guest that's going to be staying with us. She needs a good first impression you know, something I can assume you failed to give her."

    â€‹Zairick snorted. "Fine. Okay, don't worry. Me and the newbie will become great friends." he said glancing at Shay to do a quick scan of her again. But Ezrene's eyes narrowed.

    "Fine." he said standing up from his seat and walking over to Shay. He spoke to her with a straight face. "If we had gotten on a bad start allow me to reintroduce myself."

    He raised one hand to his chest. "I am Zairick of Surai village. And your name is?"

    "Shay." she said looking at him suspiciously.

    "Shay." he repeated with a smirk. "Nice to meet you." he offered his hand and when she took it, he kissed the top of her hand. He gave her a charming grin before he let go.

    Then he turned to Ezreane. "That good enough for you?"

    â€‹Ezreane crossed her arms again, before she could give a response Raijen's voice interrupted.

    "Here you all are." He said walking into the kitchen room with Sa'li, and moving steady behind him was Shezearin.

    "Shezearin." Ezrene smiled, changing her mood. "Well enough to be up now?" she said, not expecting an answer.

    â€‹Shezearin answered with a blank look that clearly read: As if anything could keep me down anyway.

    Everyone seemed pleased except for the scolding look that grew on Zairick's face. Shezearin ignored it well, his expression stayed cold and blank.

    "Well at least you've seen a little of our home now Shay. It's yours now too." Raijen spoke to her. "Maybe now you should go get a little fresh air. Both you and Shezearin might need it after yesterday."

    "Sounds good to me." Shay said getting up from her chair just finishing her last piece of fruit. It was delicious, zingy and sweet at the same time. She was really getting used to the Dezarian food. If anything, it was fresh.

    "I have to go take care of some business." Raijen said. "I will meet you shortly and maybe we can get a start on analyzing this situation of yours Shay."

    "I'll come with you." Sa'li said to Shay cheerfully. "I was looking for Vahn anyway. I think he's outside."    

    "Lead the way." She said to the girl.

    â€‹Sa'li skipped ahead, her two massive frizzy pigtails bouncing. Shay followed but stopped to turn to Shezearin who stood. "C'mon Zee, this should be good for you. Aren't you coming?"

    He was leaning against the wall, arms folded. He seemed to have woken from a daze through his thoughtful and yet unemotional eyes. He looked up to her and nodded. "I'm coming."

    â€‹Sal'lie led them through the two large main wooden doors and light burst out of them.

 

 

    The warrior's home towered on a tall hill. Behind the house was a field on one side with more hills to the other that stood even taller than the house's. A patterned stoned sidewalk ran below Shay's feet in a trail of disconnecting circles. It continued on a winding path around the house and down the tall hill where it later turned to steps on the steeper parts all the way down. At the bottom of the hill the sunlight poured across a village.

`     Small stoned houses stood with the same glazed brick material as other houses she'd seen, except a bit brighter and also a bit larger. They lay scattered across the fields with winding paths of dirt connecting them. They were humble cottages, a few with gentle clouds of smoke puffing out of chimneys.

    In many of the backyards and separating some of the houses had fields of flowers or plants of some sort growing in it. It covered the entire land with sprinkles of color. And just the grass alone was such a beautiful healthy green that blew in long strands into the wind. A few fields contain herds of small animals in them. There were tall windmills towering at the end of the village and also, Shay noticed in the field past the warrior's home behind her.

    Pure natural herbal energy surfed through this town. But it wasn't just energy, but life. People children and small pets were running, playing and talking in the streets or just lounged about outside their homes in their yards.

    Shay gasped. "Oh. This place is beautiful." she said slowly. "It seems so peaceful."

    Zee nodded in agreement as he stood beside her. "Just as I remembered. It's always been the same." In his voice, she detected a hint of fondness for the village, whatever his history here may have been.

    "Vahn!" Sa'li called leaving where Zee and Shay stood. She went to the side of the house where the stoned path started.

    Resting, back against the wall, facing the fantastic view was a man lying down lazily with his arms behind his head. And he wasn't looking at the view at all but was instead sleep. A long piece of wheat grass hung out the side of his mouth that he'd been chewing.

    After hearing Sa'li's voice, gray eye opened to see her and he sighed lazily.

    The steel gray eyes of his matched the gray sweat pants he wore that made the color of the black shirt that stretched tightly across his muscled chest. The sun had tanned his white skin. And the chocolate brown wheat-like texture of his hair sprawled down his neck to touch broad shoulders, while a red sweat band held it down at the top of his head, covering the upper part of his forehead.

    "Vahn!" Sa'li called again stopping in front of him. "C'mon get up! Our visitor's awake. I want you to meet her."

    â€‹Vahn groaned as he closed his eyes again, completely ignoring the girl.

    "Ugh! Vahn! Come on." she said balling her small fists. "This is important you know. She's going to be with us for a while. We have to consider her to be a part of the team!"

    "Team?" he spoke finally. His voice had a deep rough ring to it.

    "Yes, a part of our team." Sa'li put her fists on her hips.

     "Can she fight?" he said hardly opening his eyes.

    "What does that matter?"

    He sighed to himself. "Well that is what you have to do to be one of us, right?"

    Sal'ie huffed impatiently.

    Another moment passed as Sa'li stared him down with a look on her face that Vahn was sure to sense. Vahn slowly raised his body up to a stand and opened his eyes as he stretched. The guy was tall, at least six feet.

    He turned to look ahead at Sa'li, then Shay and Shezearin while he stood up straight and lazily shoved his half gloved hands in his pocket.

    "Oh, Shezearin? Doing well I see." Vahn smirked.

    "And you haven't changed a bit." Zee returned the half smile.

    "Nope. You know me." he said stretching his arms one more time. Then he finally landed his gaze on Shay. "And so what might your name be?" He walked up to her as she took in first-hand the difference in height between the two of them.

    "I'm Shay." She held out a hand.

    â€‹Vahn raised an eyebrow. "And human right?"

    Shay hesitated at first, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Shezrearin nod for her to go on and she resumed. "Uh yeah...human."

    He smirked and took her hand with a shake. "I'm Vahn of Surai. Good to meet you."

    He dropped his hand back down to his pocket. "But I warn you human, you're going to have to prove yourself." Regardless of his words, his tone was still friendly enough. Unlike when Shezearin said it, it sounded less of an insult and more of just calling her what she was.

    "So Sa'li says that you're going to be on our team for a while. That means you're going to have to keep up."

    Shay grinned "Oh I will, don't worry." Shay considered herself being in over her head, but she hid her doubt from sight.

    "Hmmm, confident. Okay, well we'll find out." He looked at Zee. "You must have taught her a few things then."

    "You can say that. Only a few. But it's what I was able to teach her is what you and Raijen need to look at."

    "Hmmm." Vahn gave her a curious look. "I guess we'll have to find that out as well."

 

 

 

    â€‹Raijen scratched the back of his head, brushing back one of his long strands of hair that hung lose down his back. He was thinking to himself hard.

    Shay noticed the rest of the five-membered team giving similar looks. Zee stood leaning against the wall silently. He never bothered to look at the rest of the team's reaction to the story. He had helped on some parts to tell the tale, but left most of it to Shay.

    Now they were bestowed with just about every bit of information that Zee had gained about her. This was truly an offer of official trust. Shay looked around at everyone sitting at the basement room waiting for a response.

    "Well now..." Ezreane was the first to speak. "This is...interesting."

    â€‹Sa'li looked at each of them. "What does this mean guys? I've never heard of such a thing. How could any ari fragments possibly exist in a human all this time, let alone find its way into the human world? That's...impossible."

    "The little kid has a point." Zairick said ignoring the quick glare Sa'li gave him, it looked like a normal transaction. "This is hardly possible. It's as if she was like an ari thief."

    â€‹Ezreane rolled her eyes. "Yeah you might make that accusation if she actually knew about the thing in the first place. Obviously it was already in her all this time. Probably since birth just like any one of us."

    "Yet she is still a human, and born in an ari-less world." Vahn spoke. "It isn't possible."

    "But what if someone else stole it!" Zairick pushed. "That's the only explanation. Somehow it was taken from Riav. Maybe it was taken by one of those ancient humans that came here long ago. And somehow she ended up with them. Maybe they took a lot and that explains the drop in ari between now and the ancient times!"

    "Zairick." Sa'li cut him off, impatiently before he could go further.

    "But you have to admit it makes sense." his tone was serious. "I mean everyone knows how greedy humans were."

    Those in the conversation looked at him irritably but said nothing.

    "But that's still impossible for a human to even do." Raijen spoke up. He had been quiet. Instead, the leader had drawn back without comment listening intently the entire time. When he spoke all eyes looked at him.

    â€‹Zairick sucked his teeth. "But Rai." he started.

    "So it's pointless to blame it on them for now, Little Cousin." Raijen said emphasizing on the title to cease any more "ifs" "ands" or "buts" about it.

    "And besides." he continued. "We can worry about figuring that later. We'll have to do some research on this power for the time being. And that will lead us to the answer and maybe her way home. But finding her way back is the sole purpose. I'll have to start looking up powers that are even capable of doing this."

    He looked to Shay. "I can't predict how long your stay would have to be. But I can say that it'll be for some time considering we still have to continue other normal duties. But don't worry, things haven't been all that busy lately. I'll find out something for you as quick as possible. Sa'li here will help me to do so."

    The small girl nodded happily.

    "She may be young." Raijen told Shay with a smile. "But don't let her appearance fool you. She knows her stuff. One of the best ari-techs around. But for now we're going to have to see that power of yours for ourselves. Can you fire up some for us?"

    "Umm sure." Shay spoke. "Uh here?"

    "Yeah." Raijen waved a hand.    

    "Okay." Shay said a little unsure. She didn't have to worry about any damage, the room was wide; an old dusty training room that wasn't used anymore, they said. But still she took a few steps back from them.

    Shay calmed her mind and inhaled. She reached her focus for that same burning fury she had used each time so far to summon her fire. She didn't need to push as hard as she used to. The inner fire source seemed so close to her now, not nearly as far away as it was when she could hardly tap its power.

    As she breathed in she saw the quick flash of blue overlap her vision. She slowly raised both arms leveled at her sides, cupping her hands as they rose.

    Starting at each hand a blue cerulean flame sparked up and spread up her forearm. Shay allowed the flames to raise higher enough that she felt the hot force of it blowing and burning in her face.

    Through the crackling fire she looked up at everyone surrounding her before she let the ari flames die down, extinguishing the ari inside.

    It was silent until Raijen spoke. "I haven't seen an ari energy that color before. The color is too strong and defined to be normal. This is a really rare one." He said with his hand cupping his jaw. "It looks impressive, and as much as I can tell...powerful."

    â€‹Vahn agreed with him. "Unbelievable...She really does have the power of a Riavn...and a decent one at that."

    "I look forward to putting her through some training." Raijen said with a smirk. "And from what it seems you already have some control over it." he said to Shay. "You do want to train it don't you?"

    "Of course." Shay said instantly.

    "It's settled then." he said getting up to his feet. "Starting tomorrow I'll put you through your first lesson with us. I see Shezearin already taught you a little bit which is good. We could jump right into the core of the basics and maybe a little more. But for the day both you and Shezearin should rest."

    Shezearin slipped Raijen a glare. They both knew he didn't like being told when he was too weak for anything. They'd been going at it all day. But he didn't object.

    They all trickled out the room one by one, and Zee was the last to leave the room.

 

 

 

    Shay sat her small trusty backpack down on her bed. It was scrapped and stained from grass tree branches even soaked repeatedly in wild waters, but it stayed tough and handy. She ran her hand over top of it to make sure it was flat and empty. All her things were sat out neatly on the bed. The extra pair of clothes was put in the small dresser next to her bed.

    It was nice having a room again. With a regular bed, a dresser, small table and a green oval rug in the middle, it was small and humble, but just right. All she needed for some quiet alone time to recollect herself. She hadn't had that space at all in the last few days.

    Outside her window a half moon shinned bright covered by the wild sprinkles of stars. Below her glittered with lighting bugs that scattered across the fields of grass that flowed in waves down the hill and into the town below.

    â€‹For now, this is going to have to be my home. She thought to herself.

    Then came a light knock on the wooden door. Shay turned from the window and looked up, wondering if Ezrene had come by again with anything else she thought might make things feel like home. She had enough pillows and extra blankets by now. Or maybe it was Raijen who stopped by once already to let her know when their practice will be and how to be prepared.

    Shay's feet dragged heavily along the shiny wooden floor until she came to the door and opened it slowly. Staring down at her was the piercing gaze of ruby eyes.

    "Zee?" She straightened herself a bit trying to lose the drowsy appearance. If Shezearin was here, something important must have come up. "What's wrong?" she asked.

    He hesitated. "Can I come in?"

    "Yeah. Of course." she said as she led him into the small room. Shay sat down at the bed and being no other place to sit, she scooted over for him. His face was contemplative as he took the seat.

    "I uhh just wanted to check on you." He said in his low voice without looking at her. "So...does this place look adjustable to you?"

    "I don't have much of a choice." she said. "But yeah, things seem fine. I think the better question isn't about me; what will you do next? " He's the one talking about leaving.

    He eyed her challengingly before his gaze left her again. "So eager to know?"

    "I didn't think you'd really answer that." She grinned. "I'm just wondering what's really bothering you. I wasn't expecting this visit."

    Zee faced her without looking away this time. He seemed to have lost his tension.

    For his sake, Shay changed the subject to give him time. "But yes, I can really get used to it here though. It's…really nice."

    "I knew you would like it." A faint smile might have shown on his features but it faded. "I've been doing a lot of thinking...now that I'm free."

    Shay was surprised; he was actually bringing up the subject. He hadn't mentioned it all day.

    "I've been thinking of where to start, where to go. It feels…strange not having to go back. I'm..."

    "Your own person." She finished for him.

    "Yeah." He nodded and continued slowly. "My own person; having no orders. I almost don't know where to begin. But still, I do know that it's not the end. I won't be allowed to just walk away from it all. That's something that's been…bothering me, as you put it.

    "He never just goes away. He's too persistent. This feeling of freedom...it won't last.

    "I've...been in a similar situation before...When I thought I was free but he came back. Only it wasn't a battle like yesterday. So the difference is I'm no longer bonded. But like every time, he always manages to come back. And I need to decide how to handle it when the time comes."

    "When the time comes Shezearin. 'Till then, don't stress so much about it. I'm sure it will be a while before he decides any move against you. I think his condition was pretty bad."

    "You're right. But I wouldn't know where to go or where to start nonetheless. I feel no connection to any place...that is, except maybe here, at the moment."

    Shay had a small thought on the meaning of his last sentence but thought better of asking about it.

    "So now it comes down to me making my decision on my own." he paused and sighed. "Shay...I made a promise to myself not too long ago, just before Kavothar came. It was that I would help you to the best of my extent. After I became free, I re-thought everything, how so many things and plans for me may have changed. But I've decided that promise I still devote to you."

    He finally met her eyes while saying his last words. "Maybe it is that reason that I still feel drawn to be in this town right now. It's the only thing that seems to make sense to me, to follow the only direction I have. The mission I've assigned myself to currently is helping you."

    Shay was quiet, but then spoke. "Zee you don't have to order yourself. This is your time to follow your own agenda. You're free; you don't have to bind yourself to things anymore."

    "It's just more clear this way, it's the only thing I feel any dedication to. Maybe afterwards I can find more for myself. But perhaps it's best to start off small and take one step at a time. And the first step I see is being here for now."

    "Shezearin, I…" Shay wasn't sure what to say. He was choosing to stay here now, to help her.

    "This way," he continued and spoke almost at a whisper. "You're helping me too."

    She stared at his face, at its beauty and its complete seriousness. His ruby gaze held her without release. She felt that she could fall into them.

    Shay felt heat burn at her cheeks, and any words she tried to say stumbled into nothing for some reason. She then swallowed, and took a moment to blink away and detach from the eyes that studied her. The seconds that they did, seemed incredibly long. "Shezearin..." she managed. But the smile of his that she'd seem a moment ago returned, and her words dropped cold again.

    Then he slowly rose up to stand from the bed. When he did, Shay almost whined at the loss of the heat of his body sitting there next to hers. She didn't noticed how close they had moved through the conversation.

    "It's okay Shay." He told her. "I told you you're helping me, this isn't a chore. It is my free own decision." The vibe from him seemed completely positive, something she wasn't used to seeing.

    "You should get some sleep, you'll need it for tomorrow."

    Shay nodded silently. "Good night,"

2: Training Begins

    Shay yanked her black gloves onto her hands as she rushed down the great wooden staircase. She was dressed in a traveler's wardrobe that she borrowed from Ezrene. They were regular Dezarian sweats that she had to roll up at the ankles because they were a bit too long.

    Landing at the bottom step, she bolted straight down to the very last room in the basement hallway. She went through the door-less entryway to enter the largest room on the level, the training room. Inside, she stepped down to a smooth wooden floor that flooded across the large room. Targets hung down in chains on corners and in various places of the room were detachable training poles. Behind the training floor was a large closet that Shay guessed were tons more equipment stashed away for different methods of training.

    In the center of the room were a cluster of poles with bright red circular targets on them that stood at Shay's height. On the stem of the poles, each had two smaller targets on them. And in the center of the cluster of standing targets was Raijen.  

    He just stood there, back facing Shay at the entrance he held his head down with arms folded at his chest. What's he doing? "Umm Rai-"

    She cut herself off when she saw Raijen's head snap up and throw a lighting fast jab to the target in front of him, breaking his fist through it. The punch was so clean and fast she barely had time to register what happened. The target exploded in tiny wooden pieces. He made it look as if it were only a mere sheet of glass. The power was evident.

    He turned to his left striking another target with the jab of one arm and turned around to the one behind him with his next. In three seconds five targets collapsed to the floor. His strikes were strong quick and deadly as a bee's sting… An Ari-powered Muhammad Ali?

    He moved faster striking more and more. With all the top targets gone, he finished his punching barrage by dropping down and whipped his legs around in a half of circle that instantly broke the stems of the targets in front of him.

    Wow...

    He moved fast, almost like Shezearin, only this seemed more…normal, human-like, to her. But it was his power that made it look like a death wish to stand in his way. Shay wondered if he could take out a person's skull the way those wooden targets exploded.

    Shay made a note to herself: Pissing him off was the last thing I will do while I'm here. Life is too precious.

    He stood up slowly straightening his body. His breath was only slightly heavier than a normal pace, he was hardly tired. Then he finally turned around to face her.

    "Ah you've made it." he smiled. "And you came in time to see my demonstration." he laughed. "Don't worry I don't expect you to take out targets like that." he said after seeing her face. "Not yet at least."

    Shay walked down to him at the center of the spacial training room.

    "I'd been working on my focus." he explained. "When concentrating it's easier to release agility plus strength on a certain level that creates..." he stopped in front of her folding both arms. "deadly strikes." He smiled a charming smile.

    "What exactly is your ari Raijen?"

    "Oh? My ari type is physical. And my actual ability is powered strength."

    "Oh..." she said realizing that her question was pretty stupid. "I guess that was obvious then." she chuckled. "I just wasn't sure if that was just your own combat training or your ower."

    "No." he laughed. "The only one who could pull off such a stunt without strong combat being their true ari ability would probably be Shezearin. I'm sure you've seen him fight before with just as much if not more speed…but maybe less of the brute strength. And he would do it all without even activating a lick of his energy ari, and energy is his true ari ability."

    "Oh yea, you're right."

    Raijen nodded. "Yeah that would be a level of power for the zeome'."

    "Are there others that own power like him?"

    "Hmmm." he thought to himself. "Yeah. But they are very rare now days. That much ari stowed in one person hardly happens any more. It used to be more common back in ancient times, when the ari spirits allowed such a feet of power being put into those they selected. It was sort of like their own special handpicked warriors, chosen hosts. But that was in old times when the spirits were more open, not retracted and hidden away as they are now. I guess that's why he's so well known now.

    "The zeome' is the title of the only one now known throughout the land of Dezaria where that much ari is held in a single body. But that doesn't make him invincible you know. For others their skill training along with whatever ari ability they do have, can equal up to a challenge for one blessed with so much ari as the zeome'; and then twice as difficult if those people are in numbers. But due to his own life-long training, I see there's been hardly one who can truly take down our friend."

    Shay nodded her head in agreement.

    "Good thing he's on our side." he chuckled. "As for you, who knows? Maybe some time you can match closer to him too. But then you have to start somewhere first huh? Well today's that first day. Ready?"

    "Yeah...been ready." she grinned.

    "Alright then. Follow me." She followed in a few steps away from the pile of rubble the super strengthened leader left on the training ground floor. They stood face to face in a clear spot of the room.

    "Shezearin told me that one thing you do have is spunk. He says you have a spark to your fighting when pressured, rather if its survival or trying to prove yourself." He smirked.

    Raijen continued. "That'll come in handy and will prove reliability in a fight. But that makes me think that what you will need to practice is focus and control of your ari. That can be just as important as that spark. Because a strong fire with no control does nothing but unnecessary and unwanted damage. So that's what we'll start on. Now summon your ari."

    Shay breathed while closing her eyes and followed the order. There was the flash of the cerulean color across her vision and she felt alive with strength.

.     "Good." Raijen watched. Then he pointed to the side of him, to a target standing on the end outskirts of the training room. "Hit it with your ari."

    Shay hesitated. The target was about the size of a person's head and at least twenty feet away. "Umm I..."

    "I know." he put a on her shoulder. "Even if you've hardly done it before, I want to see you try it. Shezearin says you've managed to fire your ari a few times now. Though it may require your concentration or a bad situation, I want to see you fire it in a regular circumstance ."

    Shay swallowed when Raijen stepped away to give her room.

    She stared down the target. Spreading her arms and breathing at the same time, she balled her fists. When she did she felt her inner ari sway like churning water. She attempted to concentrate that power to the ends of her limbs, focusing a clustered amount near her hands.

    Shay then raised them and locked her sight on the target. She noticed the fire gathering and glowing at her hands but she did not take her eyes off her focus.

    She breathed deeply, stirring the energy more inside. It wasn't until she felt her ari churn like the eye of a storm in her body that she felt its full strength. And in one strong push she hurled the energy ahead of her.

    A wide blue colored fireball of energy ignited and shot forward leaving a long tail of fire blowing behind it. There was a loud crackle when it hit and the target was obliterated. After the last string of fire left her hand in dying pressure, she suppressed the energy completely when she heard Raijen's applause.

    "Well done." he said walking up to her. "For a start, you've become closer with your ari I see. I know exactly what to do with you now. You just need a little more mind control. When you do, it will come to you faster and you won't have to concentrate so much. The basics of fighting with ari, is to know it. You can gain better control over it by taking ari breaths. And that's what you and I are going to be doing."

    "Ari breaths?"

    "Yes…It's sort of like meditation, but you are connecting with your ari. It is an old practice I still find very useful. Sa'li can help as well. She's developed a few techniques for it. But today I will go over the practices I know myself. It's better to take it outside."

 

 

 

    "As you may know Shay," Raijen started. "Ari is a flow of energy placed and molded into the soul of a living creature as well as any type of life in general. And because of that, one can stir that flow."

    The two of them sat face to face and cross legged on one of the flat stone circles that made up the walkway outside the house. Surrounding them was flower-covered grass in the peaceful morning terrain.

    "Now this is important." Raijen started. "No matter what your ari type, physical, mental, energy, or healing, it can always be converted to its original form if manipulated properly. It requires complete oneness and control of your ari. When one masters it, they are able to call on the true summoning of their ari. They can completely concentrate it and even direct that power anywhere in its first form, energy."

    Shay scooted closer, listening carefully; she wanted to take down everything she heard.

    "This can also lead to an ultimate defense attack," he explained. "But depending on your stamina, the attack can be pretty tiresome and can leave one rather vulnerable. This is because it directs the core soul of our power outward. But you only have to worry about that if you reach a level that enables you to use the ultimate defense.

    "So by doing ari breaths you will be getting more familiar with channeling ari through your body." He held out his hands to her. "Touch my hand."

    Shay placed her hands on his palm. She watched Raijen close his eyes for a moment and then refocused his gaze on her.

    Just then Shay felt a warm hum began to build in the palm of his hands.

    "Do you feel it?" he asked and Shay nodded curiously. "I just focused my inner ari to my hand. It's only a light focus though. It's also about the most a common Dezarian may be able to control their ari. But if you're a fighter you should be able to do more. And only those who practice enough may be at the level where their inner ari can serve as an attack. But you do get my point right?"

    "Yeah I get it, I think."

    "I made it a priority that every member of this team becomes familiar with this. Some people do not understand the importance of the connection of ari. They take for granted the blessing we have that serves as a part of us."

    He's right about that. She thought. Considering she was from a world without the gift of ari. He was right to embrace it.

    Raijen was an interesting character; he spoke pretty wisely for his age, like he was older, but he had to be in his very early twenties at the most.

    "But let me stop my rambling and explain." He laughed. She removed her hand from his palm and after watching him for a quiet minute his hands started to glow a pale gold color.

    "I controlled the flow enough to display at my hands. It also shows the identity color of my ari because…it's the inner ari pulled out, understand? By the way if you didn't know, everyone has their own ari color of theirs according to their power."

    "I see." Shay replied drinking in the science of Dezaria.

    Raijin allowed his ari to retreat from his hand and the light faded. "The first time you might have done something like this I imagine was when your ari was pulled out, as you said. But that was different, that wasn't by your control. It had been forced out and then you were able to maintain for a bit before you let go and it receded. That brings us to where we will start your lesson. Now sit facing the town, it helps more."

    Shay looked out towards the edge of the steep hill and faced the clear sky and the hazy morning air of the town below. By his instructions, she closed her eyes and breathed in and out slowly. Raijen sat next to her doing the same.

    Long minutes dragged by and she felt nothing, except maybe drowsiness from keeping her eyes closed.

    "Concentrate and listen Shay." Raijen commented without moving or breaking his own concentration. All she could do was listen to him and try longer. She re-cleared her mind and began to hear everything around her.

    After time passed, the length Shay didn't know. She then began to see colors swirling in the vision underneath her closed eyelids. By now she had felt so relaxed it was almost as if she was in a dream. She no longer even felt an ounce of drowsiness, only a calm place of mind.

    All outside awareness fell away and let her to explore these new inner senses. Diving deeper into the calm colorful abyss,at a point she began to even feel the warm sensation of her ari fire begin to sway back and forth in unity of her breath. It reminded her of the repeating sound of an ocean shore.

    Beyond that, among the faint outside sounds that did reach her in that place were the winds, a few passing birds and even the dripping drops of dew that fell from the tips of a flowers and blades of grass. Each sound was like a color inside her head, painting a vibrant picture.

    "Shay."

    Shay abruptly woke from her senses. It was Raijen's voice. Shay opened her eyes and her normal sense of world returned to her. "Huh?"

    "That is enough for today." He stood up and laughed. "It's been over thirty minutes."    

    "What?" Shay exclaimed. It felt more like five. Ten at the most. Where did the time go?

    "Yeah." He grinned. "You did pretty well for your first day. It will do you good to practice these each day. Tomorrow Sa'li and I will show you more tactics. We'll keep it up with you until you remember them on your own."

    "Okay." she said getting to her feet. "I'm looking forward to it." Whatever just transpired now was difficult at first but…interesting, she admitted to herself.

    "Good. Now, I understand you ran into a tough fight the other day. Are you feeling up to still more today?"

    "Oh yeah, of course! This is nothing." she motioned to the bandage still wrapped around her arm where she was cut by a minion's claws. "I've been feeling much better since I got up."

    "Okay as long as you feel well enough. And I do mean that as in anyone would be tired in your situation."

    His last comment he added after he overlooked her face. She knew now that her face must have projected her thoughts: You're asking me that because I'm human.

    "It's just that you are just starting these lessons, they're going to get a little rougher and I want to make sure you're still recovering properly, that's all." He chuckled. "But very well, go look for Ezrene. She's out training right now. She'll be doing combat works with you."

 

 

 

    Apparently Raijen and Ezrene were the early birds in the house. It was still morning and everyone else was still asleep, except for Zee of course. He was probably already out and about somewhere by now. He didn't like to pay much attention to his own injuries, his stubborn attitude stopped him.

    In the quiet house Shay had eaten a quick breakfast that Raijen came in fortunately to help her with. It was toasted bread with a cinnamon-like spice sprinkled on it with fresh milk from an animal that she hoped was similar to a cow. It tasted like a cow's but a little tangier.

    Shay found Ezrene sitting in the main training room and gulping down a canteen of water.

    "Oh, hi Shay." She greeted her. "Good morning! You ready to get started?"

    "Yup, ready as ever." Shay smiled with her hands on her hips.

    "Okay." Ezrene got to her feet and glided over to Shay. "Oh looking good in those sweats by the way." She laughed, taking a quick glance at the very workout pants she lent her. "How do they feel?"

    "Mmm, can't complain. They were a bit long but they've been doing me good."

    "Okay then. Well getting to business, I will be training you on physical combat. You may already know a little but we'll just start on some basics and then a few maneuvers." She clapped her hands together. And these maneuvers can be useful and kinda fun too! I have a few specific ones in mind for you."

    "So then, what's your ability Ezrene?"

    "Oh." she smiled. "My type is physical. My ability is balance plus heightened senses."

    "Balance?"

    "That's right. Don't underestimate it though." She said folding her arms. "For this reason I'm a master with a lot of combat techniques. I can pull off athletic and nimble moves rather easily. My pinpointing senses are useful. And not to mention my agility isn't too bad either. It all makes a great combination and a good hand to our team." She said proudly.

    "Wow. Sounds like you can be pretty invincible in a close combat fight, matter of fact any fight." Shay heard the admirable spark in her own voice.

    "Hmmm I wouldn't say invincible, but I can hold advantages." She grinned and pointed to a staff that lay to the side of the training floor. "That's what I usually use in combat. It's a special staff I've always had, and comes in handy to help harvest my sense of balance as it serves as an extension of me and my skill."

    Extension of skill. Shay noted in her head. So this doesn't count as a weapon then. She remembered Zee telling her once pretty arrogantly that Dezarians didn't need or use weapons. And it was basically looked down upon if someone even thought it. He was a jerk then. But she understood he mostly meant sharp tools. Dezarian's nature was to use their strength; something like a blade was a cheat and proved nothing but cowardice.

    Shay nodded. "cool."

    "But don't let me brag too much. When the Surai team's done with you, you may be the one doing all the bragging. So let's get started."

    Ezrene began the practice with basic punches, kicks and their structure along with different stances. Shay practiced the same sets of punches and kicks until the form was perfect enough.

    Shay managed to keep up, a blend between excitement and determination drove her. Shay discovered that despite her playful appearance, Ezrene was a serious trainer. But it was a very respectful fact. And truthfully, it excited Shay to be trained by a strong female fighter that had to be close to her age as well.

    They went on for over an hour until Ezrene called the practice to an end. By then it was early afternoon. Ezrene announced that she had to go into town soon, to help her aging dad with some chores around the house and she disappeared.

    Shay guzzled down water. Sweaty and tired, she went back up to the bedroom floor to shower in one of their many bathrooms and then change into another pair of borrowed clothes from Ezrene. Wanting to do no more but relax now, Shay found herself sitting outside in the pretty atmosphere of the house's front yard that faced the view of the town. She sat in the grass where the bright sunlight kept her company as she re-energized and collected her thoughts.

    Tomorrow was supposed to be training with another teammate. following day would be with Ezrene again and the two would switch off. While each early morning still would be ari breaths and flowing with Raijen and Sa'li.

    Rubbing her arms that she knew would be aching in the morning, (in addition to how they ached already from the day before) she wondered how the next lessons would be. But today she was done and now she had an itch to explore.

    But where to start? She sat back in the grass and thought.

    Instantly, Shay's mind went out to Shezreain, and that unexpected talk she had with him last night. It was his thoughtfulness or maybe it was the devotion he had to helping her, that made her heart feel warm at the mere recap of the conversation.

    But she reminded herself that it was best not to get ahead. This coming from Shezearin didn't quite mean she was any more special than any other past mission of his. Yes, he was devoted but that's simply what was required in order to complete her mission. This mission was serious. And if anyone in the world...any world, was intensely serious about everything around him, it was Zee. Play wasn't even in his vocabulary.

    Shay sighed to herself. Still, She got to her feet to start looking for him. But just as she turned around, she laid eyes on a different face than expected.

    "Hey human," Zairick said climbing up from the hill path and skipping the yard's stepping stones to cut along the grass to her.

    Shay rolled her eyes. "I do have a name you know."

    In front of her now, he flashed a sly smile. "Shay right?" he already knew the answer. "Enjoying your first day out here?"

    "Yeah I guess so." she said more plainly, not too rude but not nice either. "And what are you doing out here?"

    "Just got done some of my own warm-up training. But I got a complaint from some of the villagers about the wild forxin from past the field. They're crafty creatures; they stole some of the villager's belongings. Including a few chickens not that they'd be any use now. This happens every once in a while, and when it does we always need someone to put them back in their place. That's all. " He then paused and cocked his head to the side as he looked at her. "Hmmm."

    "What?"

    "You should come along human. And see me in action."

    "Are you asking me or telling me?"

    "Whatever you take it as." he grinned. "But there's not much time. They should be making their way back to the forest this time a day since morning's pretty much ended. We can still cut them off at the field behind the house. C'mon."

    Zairick took off running, leaving her with not much of a choice but to follow her curiosity. She took off down the grassy plains after him.

    They ran through the field leaving the village and the warrior's house behind, passing a few wind mills. The grass was growing tall and wild to where it began to reach above her knees.

    "Get down." he told her. Shay followed Zairick's example when he crouched down to crawl on his elbows, army style. She did the same. Now low to the dirt, the tall grass tips towered and hid her body completely from far view.

    A childhood flashback came to her mind; one of playing and rolling around in the grass, imagining being on adventures, hiding from dinosaurs and monsters in her make-believe wonderland. Well, there was none of that here, or a talking rabbit and mad hatted people to have tea parties with. But she had to admit, a feeling in her gut that enjoyed where she was right now. Maybe the sane, humanly sophisticated side of her preferred the make-believe wonderland tea parties, but that fraction of her was small. Instead she felt a thrill with her belly across the dirt, hidden in the grass, waiting for something to happen in this world that was an almost fight-for-your-life surprise around every corner.

    "I don't see them." She said from beside him.

    "Just keep quiet and watch." he whispered. "You'll see why I'm the master hunter in the group. Aside from Ezrene's annoying tracking skills, I do the taking out."

    Then, Shay spotted a dot of orange color through the bundled blades of grass. When the color moved again, she gained a better angle of view. The spot was a part of an animal, a large one about the size of a large dog. But its features looked more like an orange fox, with just a little more fang exposure, and two yellow stripes that ran down its back. In its mouth it was holding a dead chicken by the neck.

    Next, she spotted three more behind the first. Their group had all stopped to take watchful glances around the area. It was possible they sensed something close but just wasn't sure what. Shay lowered her head more, careful not to blow their cover.

    "Nasty little things." Zairick whispered.

    Little?

    "Lucky for us they're timid; they like to avoid battle. But these guys got something coming for them." He grinned. "Watch this."

    His eyes flashed a light orange color. He's an energy type. Shay concluded. Physical types didn't need to summon theirs.

    He raised his hand and pointed two fingers out towards the lead animal carrying the dead chicken. On the tip of his fingers orange color glowed lightly and a very thin streak of white energy propelled forward at the flick of his fingers. Through the grass it whistled away.

    In the next second, the small energy streak must have reached the creature. Zairick jerked his still extended finger upward. The energy's color shifted to orange and suddenly exploded in front of the creature like a big firecracker.

    The lead forxin dropped the chicken. Soon multiple fire cracking ari burst all around the other animals. Zairaick had been quick to shoot the rest using both hands. It looked as if he were shooting make believe guns from his fingers with very real fiery explosions crackled from them down the field.

    After three more explosions each froxin in the pack dropped whatever it was they may have had: animals, utensils and a few other shinny belongings. They all stumbled, scattered and abandoning their hunt. The pack jetted down the rest of the stretch of land and back towards the trees.

    "Score." Zairick chuckled, getting to his feet.

    Shay stood up too and followed him, running to the spot where the pack was assaulted.

    "Let's see what we got." he snickered. "A couple chickens, and trinkets from the villagers."

    "Won't they be back?"

    "They might." He said gathering the belongings up in a draw sting bag he wore wrapped around his belt. "That's why I'll be on the lookout. After a couple of blasts they'll stop for a while until they grow the courage to start mischief here again."

    "I see." Shay said staring out where the pack disappeared. She turned back towards him. "So what is it exactly that you did?"

    A sly grin creaked up his face; he'd been waiting for her to ask that. "My ari energy doesn't come in full streams like yours does. It comes in blasts, like small detonators and I can compress them. I hold them and make them explode at any distance at will. Well...my maximum shooting length is about fifteen meters or so; by then I lose my hold and it explodes on its own."

    "And you control the size of the explosion too?"

    "Yup I can concentrate the energy by small or large amounts. To get explosions the size of larger than say…half a person, it just takes a little more concentration."

    Shay nodded her head approvingly. "Impressive."

    "Got that right. But I'm still a strongly trained physical fighter as well. When the team's in a fight, with them I play more of a sneak hitter when I do use my power or a gradual damage doer."

    "I see. So in a team fight everyone adapts to a certain battle strategy depending on their power."

    "And by the person's style too." His words faded off. "Hmmm." He mumbled holding a thoughtful expression while he eyed Shay up and down.

    "Will you stop doing that?" Shay snapped.

    "What?" he said, laughing. "Oh I was just wondering what type of little warrior you might turn out to be yourself."

    "Little?"

    "Yeah." he chuckled. "Calm down lioness. I mean it as in you'd make a hot one...when you become one that is. Once you get your ari under wraps then you might just bloom into a decent fighter."

    By now, Shay was used to his constant flirting. But she decided to play with his flirting game. "Yeah, I guess we'll see." She said with a smirk and turned to walk back towards Surai.

    He stood and watched her pass him, eyes boring. They most likely were scanning up and down, lingering on the down. It was the same routine with the boys at her world too, they could look all they want but can't touch.

    "I was just saying before, that you can come to me if you need any pointers on your power. I'll be glad to help you." Zarick went on behind her as they reached the warrior's home.

    "What and teach me to be as conceited as you?" She replied.

    "Hey, I'm not conceited...I'm just confident. I mean, if you know you're this great at what you do then why not show it?"

    "Whatever you say," Shay rolled her eyes. "So, who's training me on ari tomorrow anyway?"

    "Probably Vahn. I'm good at ari control too but Rai thinks I'm not serious enough to teach it. Ugh...He's so uptight sometimes."

    "Okay." Shay was perfectly fine with Vahn so far.

    "He hopes you'll catch on fast enough with Vahn teaching. Plus we all assume you've had a little bit of lessons already from...the zeome'" His tone changed and all the playfulness in his voice was gone when the name of Shezearin's title slid through his teeth.

    Shay abruptly turned around and faced him. "Okay, what is your problem?"

    "What?"

    "Your problem with Shezearin."

    He snorted. "Isn't it the same for everyone?"

    Not for the rest of your teammates."

    "Well they are about the only people in Dezaria that feels that way about him. You should ask them why are they so different."

    "And what about the Surai villagers? From what I've heard they except Shezearin too."

    "Well that's because they have to. It's the same thing with the rest of the team that feels so close to him." He rolled his eyes when he emphasized the so. "But that doesn't change what he is. And they know that and He knows that…and-"

    "Wait, what do you mean they have to?"

    "They feel that they owe him." He folded his arms. "That's why they look at him a little differently. As much as I like this town, it can have some pretty simple people in it."

    "Maybe you're the simple one..." Shay mumbled aloud. She didn't care if he heard her or not. "And so you're saying that the others all feel different towards him because they owe him? But Raijen calls him a friend. You don't call someone that just because you're in their debt."

    "Raijen can be as blind and gullible as the rest too, sometimes more. That's my older cousin alright. Well he seems more...attached to him than anyone in this town." he said with a hint of disgust. "That started when the Zeome' first came here a very long time ago. Then he showed his face here again about five years ago when the Surai warriors were first put together during a drastic time in Surai. That's when everyone started kissing up to him. But that doesnt change that he's a-"

    "Watch your mouth." Shay snapped.

    Zairick sighed. "Whatever...It still doesn't change anything. But anyway, I'm about to head to the town soon Shay...I'll see you later."

    He quickly began on the trail of steps before she could ask him any more questions. Shay watched him.  I wonder what happened then… five years ago.

    "Zairick!" Sa'li called. She came up from the bottom of the hill to meet him before he could get far. "Did you get all the forxin?"

    "Yeah, you know it." he said sounding more like himself again. "What's that for?" he said looking down at the girl. In her arms she held three bottles of canteens.

    "Oh its water of course. But it has a touch of one of the mineral formulas I whipped up this morning."

    "But why that much?"

    "Well they're not for you of course." she looked past him to Shay.

    "Here you go Shay!" she called to her while she held one of the canteens in the air.

    She came over to take it. "Thanks Sa'li"

    "Of course. This is special. It'll really help you with your strength. Save some for tomorrow. And I'm pretty good at making these, so don't worry."

    "Then who's the third one for?" Zairick cut in.

    "Oh." she paused, a slight shade of red hinted her face. "It's for Shezearin."

    "Ugh! Okay I'm out." Zairck growled and continued on his way down the hill to the village.

    Sa'li shook her head. "Don't mind him." Then her eyes looked off past Shay. Before Shay turned around to see what she was looking at, she heard Zee's voice.

    "It's for me you said?" Light shivers went down her arm at the sound of the unexpected voice she hadn't heard all day. She wondered why she reacted this way from something so simple.

    She turned around and ignored the flutter she felt in her chest when she saw him walk up to them from around the house.

    "Umm h-here you go." Sa'li said handing the extra canteen to him. "It should do you good. It'll help with your healing. I added extra minerals to these drinks."

    "Thanks Sa'li. It should help." he said a bit more softly.

    His entire aura seemed well rested. More than it had been the day before, which was good and solid improvement.

    He turned to Shay. "How was training?"

    "It went pretty well. Nothing I couldn't handle." She smiled. "And how are you feeling today?"

    He raised a playful eyebrow. "Better. But nothing I can't handle myself." he said back.

    Sa'li giggled. "Well, I gotta go start on some work now."

    "Wait Sa'li," Shay caught the girl before she went off. "Need any help?"

    "Oh help would be great!" she clasped her hands together. "I have a lot of chores to do around the house today and mostly everyone is doing their own duties or things around the town. It's nothing too tough but it's a lot. Could you really help?"

    "Of course. I've nothing better to do. And Shezearin can come too since he's feeling so much better."

    She turned to him. For a second he slipped her an unappreciative look for volunteering him. But it disappeared when he turned to Sa'li. "I can use a stretch anyway."

    The rest of the day went by with chores around the home. Until then she had no idea how much land of theirs there really was. Some included cleaning a few rooms, and chasing down a flock of sheep animals the warriors were keeping around back for a business exchange they held with some travelers.

    It seemed the warrior team was very important to the town; they brought in lots of income from neighboring towns for their skills, which explained why they had a public main entrance to the house and an office. Each written mission/task was separated by ranks and types.

    Sa'li was dependable to be trusted with tasks like this alone. And more surprisingly she was only fourteen. Way more responsible than she remembered being herself at that age.

    But Shay found the day to be fun. There had been lots of laughs. It was an interesting way to spend her first full working day in Surai and to spend a little more time around the ever-reserved Shezearin.

    Shay enjoyed the last task with Sa'li the best, which only included the two of them joining Ezrene in a drink of an herbal tea of some sort after the work was done. They sat in the front lounge drinking and talking. Zee, by than had already disappeared on some agenda of his own. And by the end of the day Shay hardly remembered even laying her head down to go to sleep.

3: The Surai Warriors

    Shay joined Raijen and Sa'li in ari breaths the next morning. Only this time there was more than just breathing and meditating; it felt more like yoga class. It wasn't as flexible as yoga, but it was more about stretching each limb and churning the inner ari energy through them as she did it.

    Later that afternoon was her first session with Vahn. He was the least she had managed to spend time around so far, so there was no telling what type of trainer he would be. She found him outside at the start of the field behind the house, where their session was planned.

    He was laying in the grass sleep with a long piece of wheat hanging from his mouth. Shay stood in front and let her shadow cast over him. "Vahn."

    He groaned and lifted a lazy silver eye to her. "Ahh Shay. I was afraid you were Sa'li, or worse, Ezrene buggin' me for something else." He slowly raised himself up and stretched his arms. "So you ready for your practice?" he said through a yawn.

    "Sure am. I was just wondering if you were." Shay said laughing. He'd been sleep every time she'd seen him so far.

    "Funny." He smirked. "Well just so you know, I'm always ready too." he chuckled, breaking his knuckles. "No matter how I appear. Remember that."

    "Right." she said sarcastically. "And no matter how long it may actually take you?" she laughed again.

    "Hmm… okay. I like you." he chuckled. "I wonder if your defense is just as fast as your mouth. Now power up."

    Shay took in a deep breath and her vision flashed cerulean when she inhaled. Instantly she felt the power flow through her body.

    "So." Vahn spoke. "You know our abilities work different from each other's, even though mine is also energy."

    "Yeah. I've seen Zairick's ability."

    "Right. But regardless of the differences, I can still train you on basic control. From what I've seen, your energy comes in a raw form; that means it's prone to straight shootin'. You just need a grip on controlling and feeling it and you might be able to manipulate it a bit more eventually. But it seems that you can bring it to shoot well enough. What I want you to do is be able to shoot it quicker. You can't always depend on adrenaline and close-to-death situations for your ari to be more accurate."

    He reached for a stack of red disks he had sitting hidden in the tall grass. On the word go he tossed them in the air one at a time and gave Shay the chance to shoot them.

    First one: miss. Second one: miss. Third one: miss. Fourth one: a tap on the side. Fifth, miss again.

    As they went on, Shay didn't completely strike a full blow until one of the last few. A total of two out of fifteen.

    That was a fail .She thought, growing frustrated. The hard part was pushing the energy forward in time. What made it more difficult was that she was only allowed to use a thinner concentration of ari instead of the burst of thick fires she usually used. So instead of the angry heat that she used to fuel her fire before, she now had to depend on concentration. When she thought about it, Vahn was right: Other than the few times yesterday when Raijen asked her too, the only time she had successfully used and hit something with her ari was in a desperate or angry situation.

    "Whatever key feelings you use to connect most and fuel your ari fire, you've got it down" said Vahn. "And because of that, in situations where you feel that particular emotion your ari has been strongest. But you must grow to be able to summon it on normal emotions as well. And to do that, you must grow close with your ari.

    "But don't worry Shay. You're not doing bad for your first try." He added.

    Vahn stretched and spit out the long over chewed piece of wheat that had been in his mouth the whole practice. She then saw his eyes flash a silvery gray. And the only other warning she heard was his next order.

    "Now I want you to block me." Vahn bald both his fists and then slammed them together, knuckle to knuckle.

    When they collided, a transparent wave of silvery grey energy erupted. It came in vertical layers leaving smaller slashes training behind it. Shay felt the vibration of its power coming straight for her.

    She raised her fists to her face. Her fire only gave one spark from her fist and the wave was coming in quick. As the last minute took her, natural human instincts overcame. Shay dived and rolled out the way and the ari force roared passed her to die out several feet behind her.

    â€‹Vahn looked amused. "I said block. Try it again." he ordered. "You need to stand your ground. It may take a while but you have to get in the habit of trusting the use of your ari as second instinct. Just as you are used to resorting to the agility you've depended on in the human world. Here, ari is instinct.

    "Now try it again. I'll go a little softer."

    Shay gave a rough sigh as she got to her feet. His training tactics were similar to Zee's, ruthless, and instantly putting you to the test, forcing you to learn. And just like his challenges, I will rise to this one. Silently, she dug her heels in the dirt below the grass and readied herself.

    As the next force came hurling her way, Shay's nerves made her panic. On instinct her body jerked to move out the way, but her mind stopped her before she completed the action.

    Block! She thought while fighting the desperate urge to run. By now, Shay had no choice but to raise up her fire. With her hands out right, the fire of her ari unsteadily expanded in front of her; but it was coming too slow.

    Already the attack was on her. Its power hit hard, the impact rumbled against the small shield that she managed to form at the last minute. The shield was overpowered, blocking the energy of the attack but not the pressure. Shay was sent flying.

    "Ooof!" Her back slammed against the ground four feet back from where she was standing. A whine escaped from her as she rolled over and helplessly allowed the bulk of the pain pass.

    "Shay?" She heard Vahn's feet bustle through the grass to stop in front of her.

    Vahn knelt down to her side. "Shay are you alright?"

    Shay groaned in reply.

    "Man, this might be too strong for a first practice. I keep forgetting how unconnected you are with your ari...which is understandable being a human and all..." he hesitated. "Well…I'm not really helping am I?"

    "No you're not actually." Shay said siting up and holding her back. "But I'm okay. I guess it wasn't as bad as it looked."

    "You're a tough little human" he chuckled. "But definitely have potential in my book. Your problem just now was that you hesitated. If you knew on instinct, like I said, to think of your ari as first resort, you would have been able to block it in time.

    "Now blocking isn't always the solution, one must measure up how best to avoid a blow. But it needs to be in your head as an option."

    "Yeah I get it." Shay closed her eyes, cringing to another feeling of pain. She opened them and looked up. "Okay I'm ready for another."

    "You sure?"

    "Yeah. I'm fine."

    "You don't have to be so eager quite yet. I'm being honest in saying you're pretty good considering how new to this you are. Standard Dezarians have gotten that drill wrong too and even worse then you have. You should be proud of yourself."

    "Yeah I guess so then." she said slowly.

    "Besides, let's take a break before we start at it again."

    Shay nodded slowly. Vahn got up and backtracked to the where he pulled out the stack of training disks. There was a bag lying under the grass. From it, he tossed her a canteen of water.

    "Thanks." Shay caught it and began gulping down the water. Shay liked Vahn and his character so far, and decided to take a stab at a question that was bothering her since yesterday.

    "Hey Vahn."

    After a moment of swallowing down the water, he lowered the canteen and whipped off his chin. "Yeah?"

    "Can you tell me something?"

    "Depends on what it is."

    "What does everyone here really think of Shezearin?"

    Vahn glanced at her, most likely not expecting the question. He straightened then went on in his usual lazy tone of voice. "Here as in the town or the team?"

    "Both."

    "Well speaking for most of the team, we see him as a respected warrior and an ally, even a friend. As for the town people, some of them may fear and shy from him somewhat, but everyone in Surai still respects him, as a hero I guess. Sort of how they respect us as their warriors, only they know less about him."

    "So if you don't mind me asking," she started slowly. "How did that happen? I've passed through a few other towns with him and well... it's just a completely different story. They're paranoid and look at him like some type of plague. Why is this town so different?"

    "I guess its story time now." Vahn said and a small yawn escaped him. He eased himself down in the grass next to her and took his time picking a good blade of grass to pull. He snagged one and clamped the end with his teeth and began chewing the end.

    "Well you can say the team gained respect for him the same time the town did, except for Raijen. He's known him before, way before. Zairick did too though, but he was different from Raijen.

    "But anyway I was somewhat new to the town myself, and when I first saw Shezearin, he'd come during a period of distress for Surai. At that same time the warriors were also officially formed...Matter of fact, Zairick won't admit this, but I have doubts this team would have been the same without Shezearin, even the town for that matter may not have survived. Well I'm sure we might have pulled together eventually but it would have been that soon.

    "Succeeded in what? What happened then? Sorry. You gotta give me the whole story."

    "Well I guess before you can truly join something you need to know a little bit of the history anyway huh?" He sighed and leaned back. "Okay I'll tell you a fuller story.

    "About five years ago. This gentle town was taken over by a tyrant."

    "Really?"

    "Hey, no interrupting."

    "Oh. Sorry."

    He chuckled. "Most of these townsfolk are so peaceful and welcoming to all, but defenseless. A few possess decent healing powers but as far as security, this place never really excelled. It's just the nature of the people here. The town was always known for its powerful herbal nourishment instead."

    "Herbal nourishment?"

    "Shay…" he shook his head.

    "Oh yeah I did it again..." she laughed.

    "Well, you can almost feel it, the energy in the environment of this area." he continued. "You'll know once you become more in tuned with your ari. The plants and life here have strong tranquil energy. And the town is known for this gift as well as the products produced by the people who live here. Even the live-stalk here are pretty strong and healthy, probably from the plants here.

    "As far as resources go, the town of Surai has it pretty much made.

    "But not too long ago, using power to gain and control land was…gaining in popularity, I should say. Power Seekers. Old tactics were beginning to come back to play, where operations were out in the open and used with brute force. Now days they still exist except they mostly work where open society isn't aware of it. Like the friends you ran into at pythorn...Well this guy was like one of them, but more openly, and things were getting real bad.

    "The tyrant had fighters patrolling and controlling the townsfolk. They were stealing and taking over everything by force and violence. It was horrible. Everyone lived in fear and had no means to defend themselves. Raijen, Zairick and Ezrene grew up in this town. But they all were younger and not as confidently trained with their powers yet, not that there was anyone to teach them really either.

    "Anyway, Raijen was the only one who stood up, while the rest of the people cringed away. He was not afraid to defy the soldiers, even if he did get a couple public beatings. The guy's kinda got this natural leadership…Don't tell him I said that though. Don't want him to get cocky." Vahn laughed lazily. "He re-gave the people a little hope, you know? But to make a long story short…"

    "I want to hear the long version."

    "Ugh...don't feel like it right now..."

    "Vahn."

    "I'll tell enough to answer your question. Now stop interrupting.

    "The other problem was that he and Zairick were two of the only few young people, who actually possessed a decent traveler-level amount of ari. Still Raijen started rallying up the people and wanted to create secret warriors to start fighting. That's when Ezrene came fourth; she too was beginning to sort of discover herself. She was once…well she'll tell you her story herself sometime. But let's just say she was a very underestimated kid and she had lots to prove, she felt just as passionate about the village and with Raijen setting an example, she wanted to help.

    "I was a young traveler then and came upon the town shortly, expecting nothing but a peaceful passerby…Funny." he chuckled to himself closing his eyes. "That I never left... Well at first I just wanted to put my own skills to test and aid a town in need….Do some good in my life." He mentioned the last part bit more softly while looking out at the field. But he then resumed his regular tone.

    "Later Sa'li also came forward claiming she could fight, she was new to the town too, she stayed with a herbalist that moved in maybe a few months before she appeared. Now she was very young but the kid turned out to be of use. Raijen let her in after proving herself; that she can defend rather than burden.

    "We all agreed together to fight, spoiling plans, rescuing citizens from abuse and slowly weakening the tyrant's power. In the heat of the rebellion was when Shezearin happened to come through for a visit. I'd heard of him and his legend. I thought, like many others, that this would be our doom. Because the fight was getting tougher, another complication would have been the end, and there he had appeared.

    "Lucky for us his mission that day was to also take down the tyrant's rule. At first he refused, but later he ended up joining us in our fight, side by side. He wasn't the most social person, but Raijen said that he knew him, and trusted him...as a friend."

    "Though Zairick didn't."

    Vahn nodded. "You've picked up on that."

    "Yeah," she said quietly.

    "But he didn't have a choice, of course. Raijen's the eldest to him and he was the one leading the whole rebellion. So he and the rest of us questioned, but still followed, considering what was at stake. Raijen knew how to plan and lead; probably got it from his uncle. But the truth still is that without Shezearin's help, we wouldn't have won. With him on our side, we took the tyrant down hard and never had to worry about his face again.

    "We weren't sure who Shezerian truly worked for, I hardly knew the Zeome' even worked for someone then. Not many people do. My picture of him was like everyone else's: some powerful and cruel being roaming loose to unleash his wrath however he wanted. But my view of him had forever changed since that day. In a way, fighting and planning together, sort of brings people closer you know?

    "It was only shared with the five of us about his true state that he's not free and that information has never left, even from Zairick. But regardless of how much the villagers knew about him the people were more than happy and cheered him on as one of their own too. They saw him as a hero of destiny; that he would pass by and help at such a time, even if he was a bit intimidating. He helped save their freedom.

    "And the name 'hero', I remember, he looked at as if he didn't deserve it…he didn't want it. As if considering it would only deepen some burden of his…complicated guy.

    "But anyway, since then we were declared the warriors of Surai, and from it, all of this was founded to the position we have now. Shezearin was offered and probably will always have a seat next to us. But of course he refused, having other duties.    

    "Raijen always hoped he'd come back though. And I...can say that while teaming with him, as we all learned, he came off as a friend. He was really nothing like I pictured...Well somewhat; You know he's not exactly a sparkling bowl of sunshine."

    "Yeah." Shay laughed. "I know."

    Vahn chuckled "But we all trust him. And…even if Zai doesn't admit it, he does have respect for him. And to tell the truth, I think it was a bit of jealously that developed then."

    "Maybe your right."

    Vahn nodded he closed his eyes and was quiet, reflecting on the memory. "I can say that all of us grew that day. Each of us pretty much has our own story...and in that last rebellion gained confidence and found ourselves; thus made a big turning point in each of our lives.

    "I think even Shezearin grew that day...perhaps he found he could depend on others if he wanted to. I really don't know much about that guy and his past but you can tell he's not very trusting of others. Though that's understandable, considering his life."

    He then turned to look at her. "But I know one thing...Maybe it's good he came to trust you somehow, and that you got to form some type of friendship with him...He needs it. Maybe that was just the push he needed to free himself Shay. Perhaps that was how he freed himself.

    "I don't know you well yet, but I'm telling you this because you already have my trust and support as a Surai warrior. You must have something about you that attracted the friendship of even the dark emotionally sealed off Zeome'." he grinned "And that's about the type of quality that we Surai warriors were made off of. It was what brought us misfits together to fight that day. And it pushes us to keep fighting now…Remember that."

    Shay was silent, the compliment took her by surprise. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

    "Yeah, yeah, yeah." he said closing his eyes against the soft breeze.

    "So, you said you all have your own story meeting up to that rebellion day. So what's your story then?"

    He smiled. "And that Shay, is a story for another time...You're not that close yet human." he laughed. "Now get up and lets work on your blocks some more."

    Shay groaned as she got to her feet and prepared to brace herself.    

 

 

 

    When Shay wasn't with a team member helping them with some task or watching them perform a task, Shay was reading. Raijen had given her two books out of the large library that he said would help with her training, as well as becoming generally familiar with the Dezarian world.

    The first was a humble little squared book. She loved the feel of the pages and their fresh parchment smell. She'd never held a book that was hand bounded. The words were printed in some form. It held a lock on it and the cover was a soft leathery brown. The book's title was self-explanatory. It was called Bonds, the Ari, Body and Soul. It was more like a text book with explanations on embracing and understanding the three connections. This was the book he said was more important to read.

    The second one was more for her entertainment. It was supposed to be about legendary travelers. There was a famous woman traveler, that ventured even outside of Dezaria. And there was one particularly long chapter based on a young explorer from the southern plains; one of the most famous, and whose painted picture covered a large portion of the first page. Gahariet was his name, it was very knightly sounding. There were recaps on some of his most famous well known adventures deep in the depths of Dezaria. Some of his most famous travels happened when he was only in his early twenties. But by the end of his twenties and according to records, it was twenty years ago when he disappeared completely. Cause of death unknown. What's more is that his adventures only took place about thirty years ago; he would have still been alive today.

    There was more on other travelers as well that suffered similar deaths, though most weren't as mysterious. But it further explained that the glory of traveling was not all it seemed to be. Danger was unmistakable, and often unavoidable.

    Still, Shay kept the pages turning in the famous traveler's book as she sat outside on the hilltop outside the house, her favorite spot. Right now her head was swimming with so much possibilities and images. And now she was practically training to be a traveler to, but a stationary one. Like the warriors here, where there's less of a chance to have a short life.

    Shay closed the book and noticed that the sun was setting. The orange light fell over the fields covered with yellow glowing bugs floating around it. She thought of Zee and felt good about him having his own allies here that trusted and respected him. She couldn't help but think of Vahn's words; they helped reassure her. Maybe now, Zee himself was discovering that this place could be the best for him, being surrounded by trustworthy allies. But knowing him, he didn't realize it.

    She thought of Vahn's story of the team. The warriors may have all been misfits, but they found confidence in themselves by being with each other…They made a family.

    And there was so much welcome here and in the last three days she'd been with the warriors, she felt that she'd been learning a lot about each of them.

    But all together, they were the greatest, yet oddest thing she'd seen in Dezaria so far. Before Surai, everyone in Dezaria seemed to be only concerned about their own survival, staying to themselves, their people, and their town. They looked down or away from anything different. She had to practically run for her life for being human before. And if the people weren't so scared of Zee's power, they'd probably do the same to him.

    But of course, many people in her world are definitely no better. Different is often shunned with hate prejudices and plenty of violence. But yet she came to this beautiful town and saw none of that.

    People in Surai seemed to have a different approach to it all.  Apparently this town had a colorful unity and as for their warriors, the five people they chose most to represent them...the warriors, did as well.

    Shay sat on the hill, summarizing the team of warrior's she had met.

    They are all different shades of color, shapes, ages, and gender. Most of them seemed to obviously be from different areas or regions of the Dezarian land. And yet they are all here, together as a family protecting the small defenseless town they all grew to love. They had made it their home. And the town had made them their stars, their warriors of Surai.

4: The Old House by the Windmill

    "Shay!" Sa'li grabbed her by the forearm. "C'mon Shay, you don't have to do this." she whispered nervously. "Calm down!"

    Shay didn't answer. She stayed still but under her breath a growl slipped.

    "Just let it go." Sa'li added, relieved that she stayed put.

    "What's her problem?" Shay snarled through her teeth. She glared across the entrance lounge room at the woman carrying papers in her arms.

    Shay had been caught by complete shock when the woman zipped around the corner and knocked into her while she and Sa'li were walking. But unlike any other jerk she didn't stop at the "Watch where you're goin!" but she added a sneering "scummy human" with it. It was without warning, but soon Shay's anger boiled up and it took every will power possible along with Sa'li's pleas, to keep her composure.

    The woman stopped before she opened the entrance door to look back at her. She wasn't much taller than Shay. She had sleek short dark hair that curved with the shape of her head to stop a little bit past the bottom of her neck.     

Her eyes were dark with a slight shade of light purple and she held a sneering grin at Shay.

    â€‹So much for my earlier assumption of everyone in Surai being nice and accepting. Then again, everyone has their bad apple. And for an instant she also wondered how the rest of the townspeople would be as well. What if they had a lot of bad apples? And she was a human after all, rare and something Dezaria apparently had a type of bad experience with before.

    The woman raised an eye brow at her. "What makes you eligible to even have traveled with the Zeome'? I wouldn't know." She snorted and dropped the grin she had before to her over and stared with judging eyes.

    Shay glared back at her. Sa'li tightened her grip around She's wrist.

    "What's it to you?" Shay spat, and placed her free unbound hand in a fist on her hip.

    The woman's scowl tightened before smoothing it a bit. "I've heard you're going to be staying. I work here from time to time so I was informed and couldn't help but wonder…"

    Shay's venom-filled stare stayed solid as steel. "Well then this isn't the best way to make first impressions now is it?"

    The woman reshuffled the papers in her hand. "Doesn't matter, human. I-" she cut herself off when a shadow appeared at the creaked doorway.

    "Shezearin." The woman managed to speak out of her mouth gaping at him. She straightened herself up.

    â€‹Shezearin walked into the doorway, facial expression normal: clear of emotion, but a bit colder than usual. His eyes inched down to her. "May I help you?" the question wasn't too friendly either.

    "I was just leaving actually." She said walking past him through the doorway. "It's a pleasure to see you again." she added.

    He met her greeting with a slight nod then turned away with no further attention. From behind, the woman gave him one last stare before she left out the door.

    â€‹Sa'li slowly released her grip on Shay's arm and let out a breath. "Shay, I was scared you were going to attack her right in our lobby. You should have seen the look in your eyes."

    Shay folded her arms, still staring at the door where the woman disappeared. "That would've been a waste of time and effort. Human or not, she doesn't know who she's dealing with."

    "Got that right." Sa'li mumbled under her breath. "Geez! You may be as bad as Zairick."

    Shay ignored the comment. "Who was that anyway?"

    "Her name's Ren." Sa'li replied. "She's one of the villagers who work here, she and a few others mostly take care of business and paper work. So when she comes she only stays down in this office. She's kind of like a secretary.

    "Secretary huh?"

    "Mmhmm." She nodded her head.

    Zee came over to them and took one look at Shay. "What's wrong with you?"

    "That...that..." Shay pointed at the doorway, too angry to form an explanation with words.

    Zee raised an eyebrow.

    "Ughh! Never mind." She sighed and turned to Sa'li. "What were we even talking about before?"

    "Oh I was asking you if you'd been down to the village yet."

    "Oh. No actually. Not yet."

    "I thought so. These last few days you've been either training, or helping around the house. You're done your training for today right?"

    "Yup." She still felt the soreness in her arms, back stomach and thighs to remind her.

    "Good. Well you should come with me!" she said with energy, then tuned her excitement down a bit when she turned to Zee. "Have you been to the village lately yourself?"

    Shezearin paused. He seemed unprepared for the question. "No I haven't."

    "Then you should come too." Sa'li said with a hopeful smile.

    Shay watched his face hold a glance of hesitation; it was a long time since he was last there.

    "Yea Zee you should come." She added.

    He looked back and forth at them both and sighed. "Alright."

    Sa'li clasping her hands together. "Then come on. I'm glad to have some company today I have to go down there to pick up a few things in the market."

    The happy girl glided to the entrance door, eager to be their guide again. And as for Shay, she tried to push away her last bit of angry thoughts of Ren.

 

 

 

    Golden glowing bugs floated amongst the emerald green grass that reminded Shay of a hazy yet beautiful dream she may have had before. The graveled dirt paths winding through the town were smooth and narrow. Flowers of different colors grew in yards and fields all around. Humble and colorful houses sat and shined in the light of the seeping sun light.

    Children ran by with small dogs playing with sticks or bouncing balls in the streets. There were people carrying baskets, and wagons pulled by beasts. One wagon was pulled by an ox another she saw hauled by a large feathery colored bird walking on its feet.

    Even in the business area on about every civilian she saw was smiling faces and laughter as they mingled. Their clothes were of different, bright and noticeable colors. She saw blurs of lime greens, oranges, browns, combinations and other colors.

    Zee had been quiet but his expression was a little bit lighter than his usual cold barrier. He seemed almost open.

    Sa'li on the other hand, skipped and bounced waving to a few villagers here and there and giggling at the sight of the little children running by that she most likely knew. A few passing villagers who weren't too intrigued in a conversation, took notice of their passing.

    One man with a large graying mustache and beard paused from talking to the lady who he was exchanging fruits outside of a store. First he waved to Sa'li, took a look at Shay, the new face, but then paused again at the sight of Zee. Shay didn't want to guess what fears may be running through his mind now.

    The woman exchanging with the man went off on her way and Sa'li then led Shay and Shezearin over to him.

    "Izaan!" she called with a smile.

    "Why Lady Sa'li. Good afternoon. How have you been these last few days? I haven't seen you around recently."

    "Oh. It's been pretty busy up at the headquarters the last couple of days. I didn't expect to see you out in the market place today. Oh, meet our new friend Shay."

    The man looked up to her with large brown warm eyes. Kindness and wisdom of an aging man reflected in them. "Nice to meet you my dear. I am Izaan, a well-known herbalist and potion master of this town."

    "He taught me a lot." Sa'li added proudly. "He's been like a close friend and father to me."

    "Salie, my sweet." He said, placing a hand on her shoulder, a little embarrassed but wore a proud smile. The man looked up at Shezearin who stood a distance behind the two girls with hands in his pockets.

    "And the Zeome' of course." he raised a hand towards him, the man's bright eyes reached to welcome him in, no fear or skepticism showing in them at all.

    Slight surprise crossed Zee's features, but he quickly straightened and shook the man's hand.

    "It's an honor." Izaan said pleasantly.

    Zee gazed down at the old man whose height came to his chin. "Same in return." He said with a respectful nod of his head.

    Shay noted to herself that this had to be the most polite she'd seen Zee be so far.

    Sa'li and Izaan talked amongst each other for a few minutes but then they continued on her way with Sa'li telling him she'd come by his house tomorrow.

    Since then, Shay noticed that the people who did take note of Shezearin, all seemed surprised to see him. They hesitated or looked at him curiously, unsure how to approach him; but all together there was no fear or resentment, at least it didn't look like it.

    One child came up to the three of them waving. "Good afternoon Lady Sa'li!" He stopped on sight of Shezearin and stayed like this for a moment. Zee stared back at him in an almost awkward way. Then the kid resumed his grin. "Mr. Zeome'." He waved shyly before running off to continue playing with his dog.

    Sa'li may not have picked up how uncomfortable Zee felt for that moment, but Shay did. She glanced at him holding in a snicker. Though his expression was blank hiding what he was feeling, the truth was that he was thrown off by the child's acknowledgement. Even though she really only knew Zee a little past a week now, she knew this.

    The rest of the way Sa'li led them on her errand run Zee had actually gotten a few more approaches. The ones brave enough to confront him with a wave or acknowledgement was often young children or elderly people. The children hardly knew better. And the elderly, Shay suspected, were people that witnessed all the greatness of the village before and after the forced oppression, and there for had great appreciation for the one that helped free them, regardless if it was his intentions or not.

 

 

 

    Shezearin sat down a large crate of apple-like fruits on the table of a rather elderly woman's house. the house of an elderly woman. The woman gave all three of them her sweet thanks and a small rounded piece of round silver for Sa'li when they left the house; a shell she remembered it being called. But the worth of it she did not know.

    Their stroll led them down the more settled side of the town, away from the social marketplace. Here, there were mostly children playing out front of the houses. Each of these houses was a bit larger than the ones she passed as well as having large masses of land behind them. The growing space between them marked that they were getting to the end of the town.

    At the very end of the street, was a house with a field of colorful flowers behind it and a windmill. A flock of fluffy small animals roamed the field and its small rolling hills.

    "That one looks nice." Shay said to herself. Then turned to Sa'li who checked another name off the long list of tasks she carried with her. "Was that the last house?"

    "Yup. Next on our way back through the village we just need to pick some purple plum fruit for the house; and considering the way Zairick scarfs them down, make that two."

    "Okay." Shay laughed. "sounds good."

    "It's the Zeome'!" went a small child's voice.

    Shay turned around to see a boy who had to be no more than eight years old approach the three of them with another boy his size trailing behind him.

    "See! I told you, I told you. He is here today. I told you!" the first child told his friend as they scampered to a stop.

    The boy's eyes were a bright clear orange-brown and his short orange tinted hair matched. The shy boy behind him with bright brown eyes stayed timidly behind him.

    "Hello Lady Sa'li." The bold boy said as he passed and walked up to Shezearin's towering form, completely unafraid.

    "Mr Zeome' I've always wanted to meet you." he said smiling. "I'm going to be just like you when I'm older too! I'm going to be strong and a hero. See." he pointed to his eyes. "I have a strong ari color too. I'm different form the kids in my class. My mama says that means I'm going to have a lot of ari to learn to use. So when I'm older I'm going to be just like you, strong! A warrior!" he jumped up and down.

    Zee peered down at the child. Again, he was completely out of his element. Shay tried not to laugh. He scratched behind one of his locks of hair thinking of what to do. Then he crouched down to meet the boy eye to eye.

    "What is your name?"

    "It's Mylen."

    "Well Mylen...don't limit yourself. You may even be better." He watched the child's face then allowed a small smile to show on his own. "I see potential in you."

    Mylen gasped. "Wow really?" He jumped up and down, "Oh boy! Oh! And Mr. Zeome'."

    "You can call me Shezearin." He said.

    "Shezearin..." the boy got distracted as his bright orange eyes landed on the jewel that rested on Zee's chest. "Oh you carry a lucky stone?"

    Zee paused and looked down at the jewel. "Yes. I guess it is." he said to the boy.

    "That's good to know Mr. Ze-, uh, Mr. Shezearin...I have something for you." The boy turned to his friend who pulled off his backpack on his back and yanked out a bundle of cloth. His friend was silent, and his eyes never left Zee.

    "I made this. " Mylen unfolded the cloth to reveal a small golden painted stone with tiny feathers glued at the bottom in a circle with a messy honey colored paste.

    "It's my own special lucky stone." the child spoke proudly. "It's a special wishing stone. The most special one I've made. May it guide and help you through future battles." Mylen giggled, proud to say such words to the zeome.

    He handed it to a hesitant Shezearin. "Oh and one more thing." the boy added happily and pulled out two freshly cut bright orange and yellow flowers. They contained layers and layers of golden petals. "My parents grow strong plants. These plants I heard them say contained a strong healing power...I figured they would be useful for such a great traveler."

    After both the gifts were handed to him, Zee was stuck speechless at first. "I...you don't have to…" his words faded as he looked at the boy's bright anticipated eyes. "Thank you Mylen. It...is an honor."

    Mylan's grinning face had lit brighter than the sun.

    "And I thank you too little one." he said turning to Mylen's friend.

    The boy nodded shyly and smiled.

    Zee looked at both the eager children with grateful eyes. Shay knew there at least had to be a warm feeling passing through him for the moment, she felt it herself.

    Then came the sound of a woman's loud gasp. "Shezearin!" The voice said.

    Zee, Shay and Sa'li looked up to see a middle-aged woman standing not too far away from them. He got to his feet, and the two children ran off towards the woman, circling and greeting her before they sped off waving a few times and disappeared. The woman paid the passing children little mind, instead she continued to stare at Shezearin while the rest of her body remained frozen.

    She had a golden brown complexion with faded gold brown eyes to match. And a few heavy streaks of gray ran through her pinned black hair. She was at least in her late fifties.

    The woman crept up to the three of them while Zee stared back. He finally went up to the woman and Shay and Sa'li followed behind him. Shay glanced at Sa'li who also simply watched the unexpected exchange between the two.

    "Hello Ms. Anah." Sa'li spoke after a moment of the silence.

    The woman used one second to break eye contact to glance back at the girl. "Why hello Sa'li. How are you?"

    Shezearin's voice interrupted as he still stared at the woman. "Ms. Anah..." he said. It sounded more like a question.

    The lady quickly returned her attention to him and raised a shaky hand to his shoulder. "Dear boy..." she spoke softly. "My, I haven't seen you in some time now." Her eyes took in the sight of him like a long lost son. "You have finally returned…And faring well I see."

    "I see you the same." He said slowly.

    "Bah." Ms. Anah laughed. "I'm just getting older, living well, yes, but watching time pass by me, watching the young generations growing up and taking their hold in life. And I see you...strong, healthy...and I see a different look about you. I do not feel the heavy burden in the eyes of the boy I once looked at a very long time ago. An image I've forged in my head to remember in hopes that I should one day see him relieved of that burden. And now...I might be able to say I have."

    Zee nodded. "Yes, you're right I am different. What...you've witnessed of me before is no more. I don't carry those chains with me anymore...I am free."

    Though little explanation was made, the woman looked understanding of it all. The most genuine smile crept of her lined face and her hand patted his shoulder. "Well done my boy." Her eyes held such strength; a noble soul led them. She stared at Zee with pride as if he were her own son.

    She finally looked up past him. "And who might you be my dear?" she said to Shay.

    "Ms. Anah this is Shay." Sa'li introduced. "Shay, Ms Anah, the respected and practically the mother of the town. Zairick's mother, and Raijen's aunt."

    The air of the lady seemed to hold the presence of someone powerful. "Pleasure to meet you."

    "Pleasure to meet you too my dear." she said in return. "This must be the coming visitor?" She asked Sa'li and Salie nodded back. "I see. Well this was a most pleasant surprise. You all must come to the house for a moment. Nuran is there and would want to see you all. Especially you my boy." she said to Shezearin. "We've always been worried ever since you left you know" she said with sad reflecting eyes. "When you've came back years ago, I only briefly got to see you and you didn't look the same as you did now."

 

 

    Anah's home was the very end house she spotted with the windmill behind it. Inside, the humble and traditionally decorated house consisted of knitted cloths and teakettles. It reminded her of the Dezarian version of the typical fairy tale cottage. They found Anah's husband sitting at the table; husband and old town leader, Nuran.

    His age was a bit more apparent than Anah. His hair was thinning towards the top of his head. A short beard grew around his chin along with a mustache; both were graying orange brown hairs. Slight wrinkles formed by his eyes and especially around his mouth from many years of laughter and smiles.

    His first reaction on sight of Zee was similar to Anah's. It took several minutes of staring at him before he crept up slowly from out his chair and walked up to Shezearin as if checking to see if he was really real.

    "Sh-Shezearin... You look healthy and stronger than ever...I-I can't believe I'm looking at you now. You were such a small and gloomy boy before. Something has definitely changed about you."

    Shezearin nodded. "Yes Mr. Nuran. I've freed myself. From what you've witnessed before."

    The old man slapped him on the back with a bright smile that made the corners of his eyes squint from the bags under his eyes.

    "Well done my boy. I am proud Shezearin." He said, but then a thought or memory crossed over the man's face and turned it into a frown. "Shezearin I..." he started eyes boring into his face. "Those many years ago...Shezearin. I never got to speak to you about it."

    Mr. N-"

    He held a hand up and continued. "I felt so powerless that day. I am truly sorry Shezearin." he said slowly.

    Zee shook his head. "Please...Mr. Nuran I am fine, really." he saw the old man's face unchanged. "There was nothing you could have done. No one could have done a thing that day. Turns out it was only I who could have done anything about it. Now that I've finally learned that…I'm free."

    Mr. Nuran deep eyes seemed to be almost at tears. As if a memory was tormenting him. A moment of silent exchange went between both men; a moment that made Shay wonder just what had happened in the past. A glance at Sa'li also told her that she too didn't know.

    "Well then...Again, Shezearin I'm proud of you."

    Shezearin nodded. "Thank you sir."

 

 

 

    The deep herbal tea was delicious. Shay never tasted anything like it. It was so sweet and yet completely replenishing. She, Sa'li and Zee spent a little time there drinking and talking with the couple. They were both happy high spirited, and remarkable people, Shay thought. Grandma Sophie would fit right in. Shay hoped that she could be like them too when she reached an older point of life; full, someone by her side and happy.

    Mr. Nuran held the longtime of experience still being the town Mayer. There was no mistaking how Raijen came to be such a leader, if influenced by them. Listening to a few of their old stories, Raijen was raised here by his aunt and uncle. And he took after them a lot.

    For Zairick however, as far as Shay knew him, it was hard to pick up the resemblance personality-wise. But in physical character, they did look like him. Even in the hair. Shay wondered how a cocky trouble-maker came out of such noble leading parents. But then again, it was very possible. Maybe he was exactly the way he is because of them; Shay couldn't think that strange at all. She herself was nothing like her parents, not that it was out of spite. But it was simply how she was.

    And like Raijen, Anah took a particular interest to Shay's situation. Though of course, anyone would find the visit of someone from another dimension interesting; however Anah listened to her with the same spark in her eye that Raijen had especially when she explained herself to the team. Being both positional and relatively close to the leader of the Surai warriors they were also informed of her situation and visit to their town.

    "You are a strong girl, very strong." Anah said after listening to Shay's summarized story. "It's almost astounding. And you do know what this all means my dear?" she said placing a hand on hers at the table.

    "Umm. No ma'am." Shay said slowly.

    "You are a most extraordinary person. With such an amazing thing like this happening to you, you must also have an extraordinary purpose.

    "I anticipate seeing what it is that you will achieve. But I can say that, well, I'm not quite sure how or what it is, but I see light in you."

    Shay stared back at Anah and it seemed as if the woman was staring into her soul. It reminded her of when she met Elzska, the way she warned her of what she sensed from Shay herself. Perhaps Anah had a strong sense of detection and awareness as well.

    "I felt it when I first saw you." The town lady leader went on. "Don't you feel it too Nuran?"

    "Yes dear I do." Mr. Nuran said sitting at the table, feet propped up and slurping the last of his cooling tea. "There's something about that one there. You take care of her Shezearin you hear me?" he pointed towards him. "As well as little Sa'li here of course, not that she needs it." He laughed. "You all look out for each other as always but be sure to help Shay. She may be a human, but a special one from both sides, that is. A special human by being here in the first place, and a special Dezarian to have such a shine."

    Shezearin gave a slight silent nod in agreement.

    Shay looked at the couple not sure what to say. "Umm thank you."

    "You be sure to look after yourself here Shay." Ms Anah said gently.

    "Yes ma'am I will." Shay returned the smile.

    "Oh, I almost forgot." Sa'li said suddenly, clasping her hands together and everyone turned their attention to her. "Raijen said that he may be closer to finding out your connection after all Shay."

    "Really? Good." Shay said in excitement. "That was faster than I thought."

    "Yeah!" Shay smiled. "He wanted a little more time today, that's why I figured I'd come out and do these errands now. But when we get back he's going to want to observe your ari some more to be sure, but he thinks he's about to crack this one."

5: A Blind Hero

    After spending almost an hour talking with the intriguing old couple of the town, Shay, Sa'li and Zee left to return south through the town.

    Zee, Sa'li and Shay had already crossed town and was almost at the point to start their climb up the winding path uphill to the warrior's home. The activity of the town had mostly died down now, leaving a few people sitting outside their porches or conversing with neighbors.

    "Oh. One more thing." Sa'li exclaimed.

    "What?" Shay laughed. "You've been saying that all day."

    "No it's just for me. You two go on ahead. "I need to stop by Izaan's house."

    "Oh…are you going to be okay by yourself?"

    Sa'li looked at her with a wrinkled brow. "Why wouldn't I be?"

    "Umm never mind." Shay said. "I forgot this place isn't like my world." That Sa'li was a warrior after all was a point Shay often forgot when considering that Sa'li was a fourteen-year-old girl.

    Sa'li ran off down a street towards the village under the darkening sky.

    Lights began appearing everywhere. The air was lit up all around by floating bugs of green and blues. Earlier in the day they had been yellow; those bugs might be sleeping now or just simply changed their light. There were even lights in some of the nectar in the center of flowers, in tiny glowing sprinkles. Long sounds of crickets chirped and called through the air. Day or night this place was beautiful and the ari in the atmosphere was surely alive.

    Now Shay and Zee walked through the town alone. It had been a few days since they've last been by themselves.

    "So Zee," Shay said swinging her arms together back and forth. "How has everything been going for you since we've been in Surai? Still feeling...better?"

    "Yeah… I've felt fine." he said rather distractedly.

    "Did you know you had admirers in the town?"

    "What do you mean?" he finally turned to her, while behind his head, three colorful glowing bugs of orange and blue zip past. The air was becoming more colorful by the minute.

    "The townsfolk all seem to appreciate you. Even the children, especially the one…Mylen was his name? What he did was so sweet and cute."

    Zee chuckled to himself. "I guess you're right then. That kid..."

    "Yeah he was something; a spunky little thing. You're his hero. Doesn't that make you feel good?"

    "Yeah, I guess. That lucky err… rock he gave made me, made me feel sort of, I don't know, ...warm? I don't know how else to describe it."

    Shay grinned. "Yup. That means it's really lucky then."

    "Maybe you're right. But for what? What hero am I?"

    Shay sighed. "Well that kid thinks you're one alright."

    His eyes looked away. And it left Shay to think how rare it would be to finally see an optimistic Shezearin and if it would ever happen.

    Shay started her next sentence slow. "So...You knew Raijen's aunt and uncle?"

    "Yes I did." He said quietly. "What they were saying about seeing me as a boy...It was a very long time ago. That was when I first met Raijen and Zairick too, long before the time of tyranny came on the village. After that, I haven't been here longer than a day's passing. The last time I was here longer than a full day was years ago when the team was first established. And when I did, I never did come across Raijen's Aunt and Uncle."

    "Yeah, I've heard. I mean, I sort of asked around a bit." She added when he saw his curious glance her way, but soon resumed his answer.

    "As for Raijen and Zairick, along with Ms. Anah and Mr. Nuran, I met them before."

    "Yeah you said before that Raijen was a good friend. Sounded like he was one of the few, if any, people that you trust."

    "Yes. That is true."

    "Would you mind me asking how you guys met then? And how you know his aunt and uncle? They seemed so...fond of you. The way they look...it was as if they were your own parents. It was touching actually."

    He smirked at her. "I'll take your word for it. It caught me by surprise to see them. To tell the truth, I was somewhat hesitant of going to the village."

    "Yeah, I could tell." She laughed. "You seemed so nervous about it. What was the matter?"

    "You've had to notice how other villages take me on approach." Shay nodded to him and he continued. "Not that it matters to me, but...this village never really did that even before it was saved from the tyrants. But that was a long time ago. Who's to say..." he trailed off.

    "That they wouldn't forget how they saw you and become like all the others?" she finished his sentence.

    "Yes."

    "See, you were so worried but look how it turned out. The townspeople look up to you, they respect you. As the team does and as I..." Shay paused before noticing that the sentence was already halfway out. "As I do." She finished.

    Zee gave a quick glance her way and was silent for a moment. "I guess I haven't noticed a lot of things until today."

    Shay didn't meet his eyes. She waited for the small shade of embarrassment she felt heating her face to pass before she looked at him and spoke again.

    "So are you going to tell me how you first met this town then? That is if you don't mind me asking?"

    Zee looked at her and raised an eyebrow in a rather charming way this time. "Does it ever matter if I mind?"

    "Sure it does!" Shay said, almost offended. "What's that supposed to mean? I never force things out of you."

    He chuckled. "Sometimes...you might as well. Don't I end up explaining whatever it is that you constantly nag about anyway?"

    "I uhh…" She couldn't find a good comeback, he was right. Even if it wasn't always as soon as she liked, eventually he answers her questions, even the painful ones.

    He smirked. "I figured I'd be telling you anyway. I knew you'd ask sooner or later."

    Zee motioned for her to follow and he led her just off the walking path to a curvy shaped tree that stood in a long patch of flowery grass. And right behind the curvy tree, started the sharp ascend of land that turned to the grand hill with the warrior's home resting at its top.

    She joined him in the grass at the base of the tree. The glowing bugs around spread to make space for them and continued to float through the air like lazy bubbles of light.

    Shay watched Zee's stare into space as his mind replayed his memories. He looked up towards the sky and his expression began to harden.

    "I was very young and had already been enslaved for some time." he started. "I was starting to become defiant. Between the orders, and the beatings when I defied them, it only added to the growing fatigue and anger I had towards it all.

    "You see, back then I was somewhat more like… you; my spirit was much stronger and hadn't been completely broken in yet. I was about ten years old then. And I was starting to come into a more evolving ari. It frightened me.

    "And the increasingly tougher training was beginning to scare me too and so were the increase of beatings. Whether if I listened or not I still got them every couple of days. There were times I was put in cage matches with some of Kavothar's toughest soldiers all at once. It was all more of tests than punishment, so it came either way. And so were the endurance drills."

    "Endurance drill? What the- ….Oh," she then remembered specifically. "The pain tolerance lessons." She said quietly, compressing the angry vision. Shay frowned at the grim memory of what he described to her on the train ride. And her mind transported to the dark story of the ten-year-old Shezearin.

    "The only thing I had to look forward to was my school lessons." He paused, his hand subconsciously picked at the grass. "Then I finally began to be sent on missions. I usually had to spy or steal something in difficult or heavily guarded places. I was always sent alone and sometimes there'd be a few spies set up as check reports on progress when I first started. Later it turned to be just reporting messages.

    "But the best times then, were just traveling back after a mission. On the way, I'd often stop by the remains of my very old home... where my parents used to be. I was beginning to lose my memories of ever being there. But when I went there, I remembered better, so I came as much as I could. That place is actually just a small ways off between the jungles that Kavothar's castle is hidden deep within and the fields that lead towards Surai. Everything is actually on this side of the Great Planes so it made stopping by these places easier.

    "One day, coming back from a mission I drifted out in the open field instead of taking the path along the tree outskirts that I normally did. Either way, I was headed to that pile of house remains again when I finally came across Surai halfway. At the edge of the town, I saw Raijen, Zairick and his dad playing outside. Their house was the same one on the end with the windmill next to it.

    "Raijen was the first to spot me watching from afar and asked me to play ball with them. He thought I was crazy for not knowing what that was." Shezearin almost smiled.

    "But he taught me. And for the first time I could remember, I played with other children. I was with the two of them as their dad watched. Once it was time for them to go in I realized I had stayed too long and disappeared on my way before Kavothar might get suspicious. I never forgot that day and that gorgeous town. Since then, whenever I could, I stopped by and always saw those two or at least Raijen outside either playing or doing chores and I would join him.

    "We became friends, me and Raijen. Zairick was younger; he tagged along a few times but usually went off with other kids his age. Their parents from time to time would watch and take notice of me. They probably thought I was the child of a passing traveler that was staying for a while; a child with red eyes does stick out of course.

    You see, the rumors about me didn't really start yet that I heard of. But whatever it was that they thought of me, they never stopped me from playing with their nephew.

    I grew to time my return after missions perfectly so Kavothar never noticed my delay. If it meant stopping by the town for only an hour then that's what it was. I got away with it though, since most my missions included traveling out on a couple days' time. I worried that his men were never far away so I knew not to overstay.

    "I think of all the kids in the village, Raijen favored playing with me most because I challenged him so much when it came to sports." A light smile crossed his face at the memory. "The ari in his strength had shown bright even as a kid. But I could challenge him at his sack tossing games, when we played err…tag, and I was the first kid to ever beat him in a race. It became a friendly rivalry. He looked forward to me coming every time. It wasn't constant but I came by whenever I could. Things continued on like this for some time, a few years. But during the last year was when it became less."

    Shay listened quietly and watched his sight lower. His fist on his lap tightened slightly.

    "By then my missions became more viscous." He murmured. "Raising tyrants began to rival Kavothar and he wanted them taken down from the inside out without them even knowing. I was sent to break down bases defeat trained killing beasts; basically, any violent power needing mission that the other cowardly or less powerful men of his couldn't face. And it included taking on other strong and merciless travelers as well, who didn't hold back against a kid.

    "One day, I hadn't been to Surai in at least three months and I was eager to go. I hadn't been that far from the village that day where my assignment gave me a confrontation with a very experienced high-powered traveler. I received err... a few injuries, but when it was finally over and I left the defeated traveler to the point he was unable to fight and hardly move, I was just barely up myself. But I was so eager to go to Surai and being so close I started walking there and ignored any injuries out of habit. I was already growing used to enduring pain so I treated them like minor scrapes as I moved. So as I walked I also began to forget what I really looked like. It wasn't until I got there and Ms. Anah saw me first and that's when I recognized my appearance.

    "Bruises and scratches covered my body, that's what I really looked like. And according to Ms. Anah's screams there was also blood dripping down my face.

    "First thing she did was order me into the house and nursed a couple of my wounds. She's a good healer to the town; that's her ari ability. In the middle of it she demanded to know what happened to me and where my parents were. In all the years I had been coming by they never really asked me questions.

    "The only answer I gave her was that I didn't have parents. When she asked who looked after me. I never answered. I was scared. About an hour after being treated I slipped away from the house away from the pressure of telling her the truth. I knew that everything Kavothar did was in secret, unlike other power seeking tyrants that rivaled him at the time. I didn't know what would happen if I told.

    "Another month had passed and I hadn't come back. I passed up a few chances I could have taken. I was too scared of what to say to them, to Ms. Anah, if I saw her.

    "Then one day I came from another very harsh mission where I barely survived and won. I was tired of it all. By the time I returned to Kavothar's base, all I could think of was escaping. I was angry and frustrated and grew more after Kavothar lectured me right before he was leaving somewhere for business. He was upset from my near failure, even though I had won. Anger powering me, I barreled off to visit my old home remains again to recollect and with Kavothar gone his troops stepped clear out of my raging way, fearfully.

    "When I got there I remember dropping to my knees and…breaking down for the first in a very long time. Everything was…too much, I guess."

    The vision of his story was beginning to bring the warm pressure of tears to Shay's eyes. She watched him steadily as he swallowed, staring at the sky as he recited the memory.

    "I clutched the jewel around my neck." He continued. "It was the one other thing I've felt a connection to." he sighed. "I never mentioned it to you last time, but there was times when...well it would talk to me then. I felt a presence in the jewel, though it's been quiet to me for some years now. It kept my thoughts alive then, like a guardian; ...similar to what you said about that star that night.

    "What you said reminded me of that. And I understood what you meant." he said glancing at her with a more calming half smile. His eyes left hers and to the ground as he drew out the rest of his memory. "It spoke to me that day. It told me to run. I wanted to run. And that's what I did.

    "Then I heard Kavothar's troops coming. But I ran fast through those woods I knew so well. It's funny, at that moment I recalled a flashback of a similar moment when they chased me through those very same woods the very first time they captured me. Only this time I was older, faster, stronger, and smarter. They never stood a chance of catching me. Despite the injuries I had from the earlier mission that hadn't been treated I ran like I never did before in my life, I didn't stop until I reached Surai village.

    "Exhausted, I collapsed at just reaching the outskirts of the village, on the side where Raijen lived. Luckily his father was out back doing work and noticed me.

    I remember waking up with my wounds wrapped up again and Raijen and his guardians were by my side. They didn't ask me to explain myself, only kindly telling me that I should stay with them for a while. Perhaps they figured somewhat of who I was but didn't quite understand the risks of their actions."

    "Even if they did figure that there was a risk," Shay started slowly. "They would've still helped you I think. They're very good people, and brave. They wouldn't have cared. There are people like that in the world you know, all the worlds." she said in a gentler tone than usual.

    "I'm...beginning to see that." He glanced at her with a nod then soon looked away again. "Well I was also figuring that then too. At least that they were.

    "So I stayed, regaining strength. I learned the rules of the house, practically lived with Raijen and Zairick. It was like the closest thing I've had at experiencing what a family might feel like.

    "And it was just like before, playing and working together, with Raijen, almost as brothers challenging and testing each other. You see in Surai he was the one most looked at as a promising upcoming traveler or at least a warrior; his ari showed strong. Around that time he was learning to control it, and at seeing another child as I was just as talented only motivated him harder.

    For about two weeks and a half I was there; and for that time in my life I was…happy, so happy. At first I thought I'd finally escaped Kavothar, he was far from my thoughts. But soon the idea began to prickle at the back of my mind that this all wouldn't last long, and it didn't." he swallowed. "It finally happened one day. I was playing outside and he came."

    Zee paused. Shay watched him carefully. "Kavothar came?"

    "Yes and with a few of his men and minions too." He sighed. "The first sign was a scream. I was outside with Raijen and spotted him from a distance and was terrified. The two of us ran into the house. In my panic I yelled that I never wanted to go back. Raijen was sharp even then, he understood that he was who I'd been running from and that everything about him was bad news. He told his aunt and uncle and they immediately hid me. But on the outside of the slightly cracked window of the room they put me in, I could hear everything.

    "Townspeople came outside to see and one of Kavothar's minions grabbed a man and demand if he'd seen a child with red eyes. I was unmistakable and anyone knew that would be a hard lie to pull.

    "That's when Raijen's Uncle came out to order the man be free and for them all to leave. I remember being so scared for him, even with all their bravery, no one out there had any idea of the power Kavothar had. Not that I had a full idea either but I knew enough to always be afraid.

    There was the sound of the previous man being released and dropped. But I knew what would happen next.

    Mr. Nuran...was too bold to back down, too noble not to defend someone of the village, too ethical to hand me over to those terrible creatures. And Kavothar loved to make people suffer and he loved to remind others that he had the power.

    Next thing I heard was sudden sounds of yelling. I knew what was happening and I ran outside to stop everything. Good thing I came out when I did, because I remember the image well.

    A large henchmen of Kavothar's had his hand around Mr. Nuran's neck. Raijen and Zairick were rushing to him. Ms. Anah, she was standing at the doorway, her face was terrified as she cried out for her husband. I ran past her in the doorway before she could stop me. I knew no matter how good-willed these people were, they were powerless, and I was too.

    Everyone stopped when I confronted Kavothar and I remember the grimace on his face hidden by a fake smile that just looked painful on him." Shezearin spat with a look of disgust. "There you are Shezearin.' He said to me. 'All ready to come home?'"    

    Zee's nostrils flared slightly and he rolled his eyes at the imitation of his former master.

    "I can still hear the sound of his voice, how it felt like snakes slithering up my skin. It made me quiver. He took one step closer to me and spoke in that same sarcastic evil tone. He told me that I worried him and then right after he stepped up to me and slapped me to the ground and hissed for me not to ever do it again.

    "I heard Ms. Anah scream when he did it. I heard people shout but I got up fast enough to tell them it was ok. With my pride, I stood straight, turned back to Kavothar and asked him to let Mr. Nuran go and I would never run away again. After another slapping...Three it was, in which he waited until I got back up each time...

    "No it was four times actually. It was when blood came to my mouth. He wouldn't stop until he usually saw some form of damage depending on his mood." He added commonly and continued.

    "But finally, he let Nuran go. And threatened the villagers not to follow us or ever try to help me, or the whole town would burn. At the same time he told me to cooperate or risk the lives of these people. So one of his men grabbed me and pulled me away. I never looked back. But I left satisfied; much worse things could have happened; there were no casualties.

    "But that whole incident also put an idea in Kavothar's head... that I was too weak, he called it. On the way back he fussed about that and that he wanted to laugh at the look on my face when I saw the man being chocked.

    "Since then...training was taken to another level and security on me was even more tight, even though I never even tried to escape again. It also came with more beatings...and excuses being they were for defense. But what he really wanted," Zee's eyes tightened. "Was to break everything in me. And surly it was breaking. I still managed but the training intensified still and my powers were growing…much stronger."

    He paused. Shay noticed his fist on the ground balling with intensity. It wasn't until another moment when the tension in them loosened that he finished.

    "And eventually I turned into what you see today."

    Shay laid a hand on his shoulder. "And I see nothing wrong with what I see today."

    "Don't trust what you see on the surface Shay." he said before he fell silent.

    Shay shook her head. "You'll never stop doing that to yourself will you?"

    "There's good reasons to. You just don't know them."

    Shay sighed. "Shezearin. Even if what you say is true, now is what matters. I am judging by beyond 'what I see on the surface'." she teased, mimicking his deep voice. She leaned her head down to catch his blank stare at the ground. Finally his eyes rose to hers. "I know well enough not to judge on the surface. Well, maybe in my past I've started to do that with people but…the point is…Shezearin have I ever judged you on the surface since we've met? If I did, maybe I wouldn't have stuck by you, maybe I would have actually allowed you to scare me." She shook her hands in a teasing imitation. "Plus, looking past the surface…is the only I was even able to persuade myself back home that I wasn't just the loser outcast I appeared to be. It's kind of something I've had to do alot."

    Her voice dropped to a softer tone. She gently pushed his chin up with her finger. Dark ruby red eyes bore into hers and she continued. "I look at you and I see exactly what everyone in this town sees. Did you even see them today Zee? They look at you and see a hero; a real hero." She slipped her hand away from his chin and folded her arms.

    "Maybe it's you that needs to see deeper into things. And whatever it is that you are dwelling on, you need to let it go Shezearin. I understand that you were taught to think otherwise but things are different now…You've moved on. You've beat whatever it is that Kavothar put in your mind."

    He stared at her but then looked away without an answer. She spoke gently. "You need to give yourself a chance...They do." she said lifting a hand towards the town. "And so do I."

    Shay sighed and hit Zee on the shoulder softly. "C'mon Zee, we should go head up. We have to talk to Raijen."

    He nodded. "Oh yeah. You're right."

    "And besides I'm hungry anyway." she added standing to her feet while a few glowing bugs in the air scattered out of her way. Zee joined her and they started on their way up the hill to the warrior's home.

    The two of them were silent walking through the colorfully lit Surai air. Then unexpectedly, she heard the deep smooth ring of Zee's voice finally speak.

    "You know, I'm glad that we came to the village today. That I saw them…and even that kid."

    Shay chuckled. "I knew it! I knew you felt something...You should be proud of yourself."

    "I don't know what to feel...But like I said, I'll admit that I'm glad we came and I can get used to being in this village again."

    "Good. Well that's a start."

    There was another moment of silence before Zee began to chuckle slightly to himself.

    "What?" Shay asked suspiciously. "What's so funny?"

    "You know Shay, all this talk about seeing, I think I'm beginning to see something about you too."

    "Oh really? And what is that?" she said.

    "As tough as you try to be and as much as you like to make sure I realize it...I think underneath you're awfully soft." he said chuckling again.

    Shay laughed. "Funny..." she said sarcastically. "And what made you say that?"

    "Just looking back on the things you say and do when you aren't being all tough and defensive." he grinned. "Back there I think I was beginning to see a tear in your eye. Or was I mistaken?"

    "Oh' you were definitely mistaken."

    "Right…"

    "But I think I can say the same about you sometimes too Zeome'."

    "Really now? That's something."

    "It's true." she laughed. "If I'm a softy then you definitely are too."

    "Well that would make you a major one if I am."

    "Maybe..." she laughed again. "But I think part of you being a softy is you're too heroically modest. 'I'm going to be just like you when I grow up.'" she said mocking the child, Mylen. "The kid was so sweet though. But you see I'm not the only one who thinks that about you. It's about time you started seeing it."

    Zee nodded his head to the side. "I guess I see your argument now. I never knew."

    "And you won't until you open your mind…Actually see what's around you. I swear sometimes Shezearin your just…ugh!" She sighed. "I don't know if you're too modest or just stupid-blind!"

    "Stupid?"

    "I don't really mean stupid. That just means very, you know… a lot."

    "No, I don't know. How do those words even connect?"

    She shook her head and laughed. "Never mind, you're just the blind hero, that's what you are." She said with a snicker and leaped onto the top of some rocks sticking up on the side of the curvy elevating road. She walked along them with her arms out keeping her balance. "And a secret softy to add…"

    "Very funny Shay. And you the not-so tough-loud mouthed human." A grin held his face as he stalked up to her. But she paid little attention as she carried on.

    "Soft as a marshmallow." She sang "And blind as a bat. Shezearin…the fluffy, blind-" He bumped her hard with his elbow and threw her completely off balance from the rock.

    "Hey!" she screeched, as she tripped and took a hard step down to the ground. She stumbled a bit before she caught herself. And an actual laugh from Zee as he walked on ahead.

    "Hey! That was cheap!" she said running after him. "Shezearin you calling me a bluffer?!" she called. "Or do you want me to prove it! I don't care if you're the zeome' or not Shezearin!"

    He turned back just enough to flash her a sly grin and then took off up the pathway.

    "Shezearin!" she roared as she sprinted forward to catch up. "Wait for me!"

6: Stampede

    After a few examinations of Shay's power, that included summoning, and manipulating her ari, Raijen concluded his suspicions that Shay's power may come from a rare source of ari...possibly an ancient one. And for ari, rare meant powerful in some particular strength. The lead clue was the way her cerulean ari had a strong connection to Shay and her personality; it so intensely swayed along with her, while practically having a mind of its own. And it was also the way it responded to Shay's emotions, almost by command, or maybe by something deeper than just her emotions, Raijen guessed, which might explain how strongly it acted on its own at Pythorn village. He concluded that somehow, it may follow the ultimate wish or cry of her inner self, which might be why it didn't harm the innocent in that battle at Pythorn. This entire ability was definitely of a rare ari.

    The power, along with its ability to respond so well to her will, can very likely provide a way to bringing her home, he had clarified. But these were all strong suspicions, they had no other lead.

    Days passed within the humble village and Raijen's research continued.

    The practices went on, along with the sweat and pain. Shay lasted longer in her sparing and felt more comfortable with her ari controls. Zee became slightly more social over time. It included talking just a little more to others, and she saw him around more often, though his random disappearing acts never stopped; but what could she do? She knew he needed time to himself.

    Shay had more time to spend with the warriors as well as quarrel a few times with a certain person, Ren, the secretary. The two of them were hardly on speaking terms. Shay never knew the problem the girl had with her, but she certainly had no problem returning the venom. Sa'li was used to dragging her away from directions of the woman ever came by the house to take care of whatever business of hers that seemed pretty useless to Shay. But besides that, everything else was moving forward.

 

 

    Shay found herself laying on her bed that morning staring up at the ceiling as she recapped on her time at Surai. It had been two weeks. And that plus the five days before Surai would be how long she'd been in Dezaria and away from the human world. She usually tried not to think about her parents or what might be going on at her home; not that much ever really happened, but she wondered how everyone was fairing. Bria, and Laya, they would be fine with each other. Her parents, gone as they usually are, may not even know of her absence. She hoped that that was the case; she rather have them not worry. The only positive if they did was that they would at least be doing that together, since her parents never did anything else with each other.

    â€‹Don't worry...she thought just in case, as if speaking to them. I will be home soon.

    She had more hope of there being a way back now, only she didn't know how long it would take. But there was no sense in stressing, maybe she would just enjoy each step of the way. Now that she was so used to Dezaria, it didn't seem so strange at all.

    "Shay!" she heard Ezrene's voice call through the walls.

    "Shay!" she called again. "Get up!"

    "Yeah?" Shay answered after clearing her throat.

    Soon Ezrene appeared bursting open the door. "C'mon the team has an emergency mission!" she urged. "You have to come."

    "What?" Shay said ripping the covers off her bed and getting to her feet.

    â€‹Ezrene nodded. "Get ready everyone's gotta meet downstairs in six minutes."

    And then she disappeared from the doorway.

    â€‹I'm a part of the team...right. Shay reminded herself as she scrambled through her clothes. And this will be my first mission together with them.I wonder what it could be...and what use would I have. What will I be compared to them?

    In three minutes Shay found herself dressed in a full uniform of black traveler utility sweatpants and a tight stretchy sleeveless sweat shirt that showed her curves. Her curls were tied back and she pulled on her gloves. She looked like an official traveler. But unlike a few other travelers she'd seen, no vibrant color to symbolize her ari. But she liked it better that way, in all black, she wasn't that confident with her power yet and she rather not feel like she was parading it around in her dress atire.

    In seconds she rushed out her room and downstairs to the main living room entrance. There was Zairick, trailing behind her. She met up with the rest of the team, including Zee. They all stood, slouched or sitting, waiting for Raijen to speak. He was standing in front of the doorway facing everyone.

    As soon as Shay was in earshot, Raijen began. "Okay team. I just got word that we've got a stampeding heard of arilope coming this way. Something north of us must have triggered them. Message carries that they'd been spotted close and likely to charge straight through Surai. We'll have to meet them head on to turn them around."

    His pale gold eyes scanned the team before him. "Okay, so everyone's available right now. This is very doable but we have to work fast. The stampede is coming from east of the village. I'll explain the plan on the way." He rushed. He wasted no time heading out the door, and everyone followed quickly behind. He led them all in a jog down the winding path of the hill and Raijen told them the plan he had just calculated.

    "Vahn and Shezearin," He shouted. "You two will stay at the village perimeter. To be sure no antelope get through, and for any reason we should fail to slow majority of them I'm sure that together your defenses will do the final trick before the heard reaches the village. Ezrene, you know already, you will run up ahead and keep us informed and also an eye out for any suspects of the start of this all. I will stay midfield way as the pre-defense before they get to the village if necessary, all the while keeping an eye out for any suspects of the cause. Ezrene that will be your job as well."

    They reached the hill's bottom and took off through the village in a trail.

    "Zairick," Raijen called to his cousin. "You will lead Sa'li and Shay into the near field. The three of you and your mid long range attacks will do the core of the settling."

    A nervous pain struck Shay's chest after hearing her assignment. The fact that she will be heavily depended on was frightening. Maybe Raijen was testing her, but the risk of the town hung over her head. But then again, if the three of them failed, they still had plenty of back up behind them. Vahn and Zee was also a mid-range attackers too, but he kept them behind as the final wall of defense. Raijen had thought it out already. But that still left her in the spotlight.

    Shay trailed in the back the rest of the way silently. Raijen was heard as he gave a few last minute orders while the rest of the team went in silence concentrating on the mission ahead.

    Is this all too soon for me? She asked herself. And what the heck is an arilope anyway?

    They finally reached the far eastern side of the town where the stampede was expected. There, they stood and waited using the chance to catch any loss of breath.

    "Okay."Raijen started on command. "You all know your rolls, be ready." he said sternly. "Remember, Arilope can be very challenging. You need to attack them full force. Lots of blasts can scare the rest, but mind you they don't scare easily. Attack using ari first, and don't get too close or they'll charge right through you."

    Shay gave a nervous glance to Shezearin. He returned it with a nod of encouragement. The strength in his eyes gave her a bit of confidence…but only slightly.

    "Raijen." Ezrene said looking out at the long stretch of field that they faced at the edge of the town. "They're getting closer."

    "Alright. Let's go!" Raijen called out.

 

 

    All seven team members charged ahead into the open field. After the village fell a little into the distance; Zee and Vahn pulled back to stay and wait in a ready position. Soon Raijen pulled back himself, taking his position midway; he left the rest of the team to continue ahead.

    Though trailing in the back, Shay grew to realize how much running endurance she'd built up being in Dezaria to have kept up with them this much without getting tired. And even if she did, she'd be activating her ari soon anyway which always boosted her body so she predicted she'd be fine.

    "They're coming close." Ezrene called then came to a stop, and the rest did the same. Standing there, Shay closed her eyes for a moment and opened them, while Zairick, Shay and Sa'li, listened for her next direction.

    "It's a pretty large heard." She said. "Capable of causing lots of damage if it gets through to the village. Something had to intentionally lead them hear 'cause they definitely are heading straight this way... There's more to the left side than the right." she said directly to Zairick, the one assigned to lead their defense. "So be prepared. Now we wait."

    After a few minutes passed of silence, Shay began to hear a very low rumble, and a distant occasional sound of some mule or hoarse like animal. But it was too low to make out.

    Zairck, glanced at Ezrene and she nodded, Sa'li and Shay caught onto the wordless signal, the four of them started forward.

    "I'm going to circle off." Ezrene announced. "I'll stop some on the right but only a few, I'm going to see if I can catch the herder. But I'll look out if you need extra help."

    "Okay." Zairck said. And Ezrene sped off to the left out of range, leaving the last three team members to charge forward and carry out their mission, the first and main round of defense.

    "Remember what Raijen said you two." Zairick called, his usual joking self was cast aside. It was good to know that the one leading them at the time wasn't playing around.

    Still, Shay felt her heart pounding louder in her chest and it was beginning to match with the growing rumble sound underneath of her feet.

    "You alright over there human?" he said in a teasing voice again while he ran beside her. The serious one didn't last long after all.

    "Y-yeah." Shay lied.

    He grinned. "Don't sweat it. We've done stampede stops before. Arilope are stubborn but as long as we overpower the bulk of them they'll turn around. We'll just put your ari to test."

    "Are they big?"

    "Hmmm, fairly enough. But don't let it intimidate you. Just follow me and Sa'li's lead."

    Sa'li gave her a smile and shook her head to agree with Zairick. That's when it dawned on her: this little girl…in a situation like this…How old is she again?

    Zairick continued. "Just fire as much ari as you need, don't worry about killing them, they have great defense and will run away before it gets to that. Shay you will take the right. Sa'li take the left. I'll charge the middle."

    "Sa'li take the left?" Shay couldn't help but say. "Didn't Ezrene say it was more on that side?"

    Zairick laughed. "Don't you worry about her. You focus on your part. She can hold her own. The little squirt can pull a little of her wait on the team."

    Sa'li lowered her eyebrows and then stuck his tongue at her.

    And he laughed. "Just don't let her size deceive you."

    Then the sound rumbles exceled to roars of thunder. The thunder turned to hundreds of angry stomping hooves beating the ground. And on the line of the horizon Shay saw them, the heard.

    Arilope looked like large savanna deer, more like wilder beast. Except the animals weren't quite as tall as wilder beast, they were more short and stalky. Shimmering dark green skin flashed and they charged forward with their curved horns and open rounded muzzles roaring. Each of their eyes was wide and almost crazed looking. Something had definitely scared or at least threatened them, and they were angry.

    And there had to be at least fifty of them; having a clear vision come to life of a scene from a certain story about a lion. And just like that lion cub she wanted to do the same and then pray that no one dies in the end. But in this story, she had to stop the stampede.

    Shay's muscles tensed. Through the loud noises of the beasts she barley heard Zairick shout to go. But she knew he must have after seeing him and Sa'li taking off in different directions. Shay then did the same.

    Shay awakened her ari and her eyes flashed quickly with her blue light. Her senses were opened. But so was a small piece of common-human-world-sense that kept saying, run theother way idiot! And because of that her legs were closer to locking up. Still the crazy insensible part of her she'd been leaning on more recently was the only shove that made her capable of running toward the charging herd of death-capable beasts.

    She kept her mind strictly on the plan and she ran towards the left of the coming herd. If she lost her focus she knew that human sense would kick in full throttle.

    Don't think, just do. Don't think just do. She told herself. Don't think just do!

    Shay felt the cerulean fire burning on her hand; she hauled it back and beamed it towards the first arilope she saw. It fired in a long stream and reached the beast hitting his head with a flare. The animal then slowed but shook it off and began to charge harder.

    â€‹Run...run girl, run! her human side shrieked in her head while her heart hammered. As her mind froze over, different voiced screamed throughout it; different voiced of clashing worlds, clashing senses, clashing realities.

    In the distance she heard crackling and zapping. She looked to her right to see orange sparks flying off and exploding in the air. It was Zairick firing against the center of the heard. Farther away, she heard similar sounds but only smoother; she guessed it was Sa'li doing her part. Still, the sound of Zairick's ari overpowered her. And it was striking hard...full and confident….Confident.

    Shay began to run forward again. Power, it was the single thought that echoed in her mind. By now, all the other conflicting thoughts in her had had silenced. There was only the beast ahead of her and she acted, ignoring her human plea for sense.

    She projected the cerulean fire hard from her fists. They were rockets and burst like beautiful blue fireworks when they hit the target, roaring and crackling in angry fires. She shot more, one fist at a time, aiming at each face of the animals that she could see. The streams of fire grew in their fierceness and she dared not ease up.

    Over the crackling of ari, the beast's cries were heard. Many in the front row began to kick and move around in wild circles drowned in fright. The ones behind them were left confused, some stopped, others managed to slip and push past them to continue their charge. But Shay went forward challenging those that still came; she continued her cerulean barrage and her will forced her attack to strengthen.

    By now, even for those still moving, the entire herd's speed had been reduced. If they had still been moving as fast as before, they would have already collided with the team of three Surai defenders. For the arilope she saw on her side, they were scrambled, no longer moving in unison. They each stopped and faced various directions, kicking and swinging their horns and hooves out in their surprise.

    Shay stood still eyeing them all for a moment with fire still ablaze on her fist. Then she heard a final crack of Zairick's ari she glanced over to see him moving back and giving her a signal to regroup.

    Shay jogged over towards him. And Sa'li met up with them too. The trio stood together catching their breath.

    "Well done you two," Zairick said in between pants. He turned his head to Shay "And impressive Shay." Hunched over with hands on her knees, she smiled and nodded in a thanks.

    But soon loud sounds from some of the antelope caught their attention. Then through the restless bustling herd, about a dozen persistent ones barreled through to charge ahead.

    "Hold your ground!" Zairick shouted through the loud thundering of hooves coming their way. "Aim for the bulk!"

    The three of them stood straight tensing their bodies and outstretching their hands each in their own ready-stances. When the beasts were less than ten feet away from them, the three all aimed in different directions and fired. Shay's fire, Zairick's red cracking energy, and on Sa'li's side all she was able to see was a streak of green energy. Of the arilope, the bulk of the middle was penetrated and only a few more escaped form the sides. Instantly, Shay aimed for the right with one direct short of her ari.

    It struck the side of one arilope and knocked it off its feet. But behind it, three sprinted past. Two of them came in her direction and sped right past.

    Shay wiped around fast and fired four more streams of ari, aiming them low. Only one missed, while the other three streaks of ari landed a direct blow at the hooves of the beasts and both of them went down.

    â€‹YES! Shay cheered in her head.

    As soon as she turned back around towards the herd she saw nothing but a pair of large curved hooves only a few feet away, coming straight at her face. Instantly, Shay folded her arms in front of her face, and ari spewed out to surround her upper body. She practiced this same drill with Vahn so much that it became first reaction.

    With shield up, her only thought for the second was to move to the side. The shield grazed the right side of the creature. The impact jerked its head to the side and the rest of its body ran to the right of her, scraping its shoulder against the fire along the way. Her shield held up just enough, but the hard impact against her side made her spin to the ground.

    Her shield disappeared. And she landed on her hands and looked up to see the back of the arilope charging away. Shay scrambled to her feet and fired her ari but it faded out before it could reach the beast.

    As it gained distance away from her, she then saw Raijen appear almost out of nowhere. He charged the arilope head on, catching its horns with his hands.

    The two collided, and it turned to a war of brute strength. The beast roared. Raijen's foot began to slide back through the dirt a few inches but his grip tightened. He then jerked the animal's head up and to the side and its whole body was tossed to the ground. To see him overpowering and animal almost three times his size was almost scary.

    But all around now, the entire arilope herd was settled. The massive herd stood, grazing casually as if nothing happened.

    Pheww... Shay let out a long held breath. Though relived, her heart still pounded from the last arilope that caught her by surprise and almost flattened her. It left her so jumpy that she hardly relaxed even after Sa'li, Zairick, and Raijen all met her in the middle to regroup giving laughs and cheers of victory.

    "Well done all of you." Raijen laughed. They all seem reenergized, feeding off the thrill from the role each of them played during the mission. "Only one managed to get through the three of you. And very good for your first actual mission Shay." he said giving her a silent applause. "Oh, here comes Ezrene now."

    He spotted her round the side of the heard and jogging their way.

    "Now that she's back Zairck I need you to shoot some explosions in the air. Scare the heard away from the town…They'll go back to where they came."

    â€‹Zairick nodded and stepped forward. Winding his arms back, he sent two long thin beams of orange light flying high into the air. After traveling ten feet up they exploded into large orange blasts just like fireworks.

        The loud noise snatched the arilope's attention and instantly sent them all running back across the field where they came.

        Mission completely accomplished.

 

 

    Shay rattled her nails against the wood surface once more before she lowered her head to the desk. How long has it been?

    "Raijen told us to meet him at the library didn't he?" she asked Zee stretching her words out as she spoke.

    â€‹Shezearin leaned quietly against the side of the book shelf. "Patience may be the next thing for you to practice. It hasn't been that long Shay."

    "Hasn't been that long? It had to at least been over a half hour ago."

    "Try fifteen minutes."

    She growled at him, and he cracked an amused smirk. He continued. "Don't forget Raijen had to go report his Aunt and Uncle, you know, since they are the leaders of the town. He has to confirm the status of the mission today as well as evidence on the culprit."

    â€‹Ezrene had come back soon after the arilope herd was gone that morning. She reported that the cause was in fact not a natural predator. Something had intentionally scared the herd this way. But traces of the small group of culprits pointed to them leaving as soon as the Surai warriors dispatched into action. And most those traces were gone before she could catch up and keep a decent track. Out of what was left that she felt, she was only able to identify that they went west.

    It wasn't much of a lead, but the fact that someone deliberately started this was enough to make Raijen gain a silent scowl on his face. This wasn't something he was just going to let drop.

    "Still that was so long ago. It's late in the afternoon now. That was this morning! Isn't he done with all of that for today?"

    "For you it may have been long ago, but afterwards he and Ezrene re-trailed the tracks of the heard to pick up any clues of who started it. That could have taken long by itself. And then he has to make reports on the mission. Nuran, his uncle, is the head of the town after all. Or at least was in their old government before Raijen and the warriors took over much of the town's affairs. He should be informed as well."

    "And I don't know if you've noticed but unsolved puzzles bother him. He probably tried any and everything he could to find out. My guess is it hasn't been successful which is why it's taking him long. But his obsession with solving things is also helping him to work so hard at your problem too."

    "I see." she said drearily and dropped her chin to the desk table. She sat in the very center of the library along with other tables and chairs beneath the long and towering row of bookshelves that surrounded them.

    Along the high walls behind them were rows of windows that allowed the sun to peak through in streams onto the floor. The library was calming, pretty, and large, taking up most of the third level. And it was also the one place you could almost always find Raijen if he wasn't training. But he wasn't there all the time out of enslaving dedication to find the answer to her problem, but it was more by his own enjoyment. Research was his passion who knows what he spent most of his time reading in here, but he loved doing it. That was the first thing she came to know about Raijen, besides his massive strength.

    "So did you hear what this may be about? Why he wanted to see us?"

    Zee shook his head. "I know he was in here before word came to us of the arilope stampede. You did well today, by the way."

    She looked up at him. "Oh. Thanks Zee."

    "Vahn and I really had nothing to do. You and the others had everything under control. Maybe it's the left over excitement that has you so wound up." he said crossing his arms and deepening his lazy lean against the shelf. "You need to settle down a bit."

    "I have Zee." she emphasized. "Well come to think of it, I don't know why, but it turned out to be pretty exciting! But...here in this library, it's kinda starting to wear off finally, the excitement I mean."

    "It should be. It's just like you said: that was this morning." He flashed another half grin. "But I understand, it was a big thrill for you." He looked her over. "Your world must have been pretty dull."

    Shay laughed. "Yeah, for me it was. Not everyone's life is like mine but…"her sentence was stopped by a thought occurred to her and she laughed. "Matter of fact, man, if only Bria and Layla could have seen me," she said to herself then laughed. "No if only my parents had seen me, especially my mom… Facing a huge herd of animals like that…head-on? She would have a heart attack."

    Zee grinned again. "Overcautious huh?"

    "Very."

    "But it's out of care isn't it? It can't be that bad."

    "Yeah it's out of love and all, but for me, it was extreme. You just don't understand. Sometimes I seriously wondered if I'm really related to them. And all of that caged overcautious-about-life stuff... That's just not me, you know?"

    "Yeah, I see. That's one of the first things I've noticed about you."

    "Hmmh." Shay made a face at him for his teasing but then left it alone. "So how was it working on a team again today?"

    "Why would it be different from any other mission?"

    "One of the first things you've told me was. 'I work better on my own.'" she mocked his deep voice.

    "Funny Shay." He said un-amused. "It was…different following directions from Raijen. At first just being back in this town and being with these warriors only felt like a big flashback. Now that I'm a bit more used to it, I just feel… mutual."

    "But you still didn't mind right?"

    "No I don't mind. I told you Shay, it's my decision to stay here." He said already seeing where she was going with it.

    "Alright." She said satisfied.

    "Not that I did much as part of the team anyway. You Sa'li and Zairick did about everything."

    "True." she said grinning. "I was great wasn't I?"

    "Don't push it human." he said giving her a glare he meant to look playful, but still turned out looking deadly. The way the light hit his face, casting shadows across him, made it look even more intense, but at the same time, mysterious and handsome… "Whatever you say Zeome." She said back.

    Soon, she heard the doors behind her open and footsteps echoed in.

    "Shay, Shezearin." Raijen's voice came greeting them.

    "Raijen!" Shay almost exclaimed. "So what's up?"

    "Sorry for the wait you two." he said coming through the large room and pulling up a chair at the table across from Shay.

    "This is incredibly important but I had to finish up everything from earlier. But anyway…Shay!" he said her name as he slapped his hands down on the table in front of her. He leaned forward and watched her with intense brown eyes, letting the suspense linger for a few seconds. She noticed there were hints of gold in them. "I think I've found a break through."

    "What?" Shay said loudly. She figured the reason he'd call an urgent meeting with her and Shezerain would have to do with her situation, but she tried not to have her hopes up to high. "S-so what is it? What did you find out?"

    "More than a break through actually. I've found the answer." He smiled.