Sayora

Riddles

"Study as much as you like, you will never know. For I differ a hundred ways from what you see me to be. Put yourself behind my eyes and see me as I see myself. Because I have chosen a place to dwell in, a place you can't see"

Eva's POV:-

"Excuse me.......Yeah....Hi, My name is Evangelic. Do you happen to know where I can find Sandra Klone. Abelia Lark told me about her and told me that you could help me." the old woman looked at me as if I asked her to find a portal to some other dimension but then she nodded and motioned for me to follow her. Her jet black shiny hair bouncing on her small shoulders and down her back as she walked. Her curls made me wonder if they were natural or she styled them every day.

She walked a few steps on the street then turned into an alley walking through it all the way until it lead to an open space behind a bar open upfront on the street.

"Who are you? And what do you want from Sandra?" she inquired upon turning. I could see this going sideways pretty quickly.

Chocolate eyes and tan skin she was lean and tall and she looked young but not enough. She was older than what we perceive at first glance. 38 or 39 maybe.

"Like I told you before, Abelia told me about Sandra and how she can help me with what I am looking for. As for my name, I am Evangelic Whitmore."

"Are you the girl who stood up against Raaky for your family position at the council mansion last night?" she asked me confusion clear on her face.

"Well word travels fast here, that happened in a private meeting. Anyway yes, am that girl. But for now I want to meet Sandra, I am short on time and she can help. So where can I find her?" I walked closer to her so she would start speaking up with being intimidated. My tall and lean stature aided to the process.

I used to have an average body with just my tall height when I was young, but as time passed and I had to fight to survive. I had to train my own self and that was the reason I have the body I have now. I may have a lean stature but my chest is slightly heavy as well as my butt. Its good enough to keep men wondering at least.

My eyes have never stayed the same color for more than a month and I grew tired of trying to understand what it all really meant. Unconsciously I started believing that this happened because of my past or maybe the kind of bender I was, made this a possibility. That brings me to why I have to wear contacts in places I have to stay longer, but here I cannot put them on for some odd reason they have been dissolving in my eyes, melting away as if my eyes burn them. Since contacts were invented I have worn them and nothing of the sort happened, however that is a matter to be looked at later.

"I am Sandra Klone but I don't go by that name here so please refrain from calling me that." my eyebrows furrowed on their own by what she said. Every person, every single person in the world is carrying some sort of a secret. Some story to tell yet still they hide it.

"Sure. I do need to talk to you, it's really important and I believe only you can help me. I need to know about an ancient stone that was broken into pieces possibly about a thousand years ago. What I need is to find the piece that is hidden in Sayonara. Any information that you have on it can help too. Anything at all, I'm even open to ideas if you can to find the stone. Its called ObzaPiap." her eyes widened slightly but she quickly recovered as if trying to act normal and there was my answer. It was absolutely minutely displayed yet still I caught it in time.

While away from Sayonara I didn't just master my elements I mastered my senses. Wherever my stay would last longer than a few months, people would start suspecting. It was always the same. Witch, mage, monster and what not. Doesn't take supernatural abilities to catch when someone's going to start lying. Neither is it rocket science just plain old simple science.

Dilation of pupils, sweating, increase in heartbeat or even just that slight tick of shock that goes over the body when they hear something they would lie about. Blended with a bender's sensory processing its really easy to catch on to something like this Its exactly what happened with Sandra. She knew about it and was going to start lying any second. Maybe she also knows where it is.

"I don't know of any such stone but you can ask Abelia to do a location spell for it or you can search the encyclopedias in the artifact center but I have no idea what you're talking about." She spoke quick and short confirming my doubts. And she was good.

"Why do I have a feeling you know about the stone but are hiding it from me" this seemed to make her uncomfortable so I continued "You and I both know know that if any information of the stone was inside the city it would be with Raaky who we all know would never speak and Abelia sent me to you. The woman who owns a shop that sells herbs and birth stones. Looks like witch craft and bender traditions are hand in hand here." She seemed to slightly pale before my eyes. She was good at hiding things but not as good.

"I told you I do not know about any stone I even told you where to find it. You can find it yourself." she turned and started walking off but then again she was the only person that we know could help me. She was not going to make this easier for me or herself. So be it.

"Now I am a hundred and ten percent sure you know where it is. You might want to take a deep breath." she looked at me horrified as I closed in on her but did breath in. So she knows about flashing too. I thought to myself.

It is a rare ability to master among supernatural beings and only centuries of practice can help us benders do it. My age gave the upper hand to me in this, I had plenty of time practice and correct it while vampires are born with it and young benders crave for it. However vampires have their large and FAIR share of disadvantages too. A dear friend would always say to me while helping me practice. "Its all about the rush. The feeling that I get from being active. My body becomes warm making me realize I was a human first. As soon as this rush subsides a chill takes over. Nothing seems to warm my body. And even with the rush I can never seem to warm my soul, ever since I became what I am. Its just survival for us, Sa." I had welcomed every previously loathed ability that I have had after I left home.

When I was flashing through the quiet streets all the while Sandra on my side, I passed Raaky who sensed it instantly and turned at the speed of light picking the hum in the air. He is on high alert today, maybe I have made the visions more vivid for him? I didn't want him to see me so I converged every bit of my strength to it reaching Abelia's in less than 10 seconds.

That was so close, I had to be very careful.

He wont let this go, pulling Sandra with me I pushed her in a chair "Don't move or I'll break your legs" I barked at the poor lady and nodded to a horrified Abelia-to look after her who watched me completely stunned.

Making my way outside I checked the whole area to see if Raaky followed us, luckily I was faster and there was no trace of him or maybe he was hiding and watching me. Things have a way of not working out my way in the past so I mentally prepared myself for the questioning and the oncoming doubt.

Walking back in Abelia's house I walked right in front of Sandra who backed away as soon as she saw me. Let's just say when we caught Raaky's attention I hauled us here haphazardly and way to fast for her well being. I had no choice.

"You can flash???" was the first thing out of Abelia's mouth. So much for keeping to myself, I hadn't told Abelia much about myself since we have always been up to something that the occasion for conversation hadn't arrived. She had enough of my trust that I was not as concerned with her knowing this than Raaky. "And why did you bring her here, I told you to just ask her for help, not haul her here like s*******r sheep. Raaky is literally out there and you could've led him here!" rolling my eyes at her I took a step further in Sandra's direction.

"Alright just don't make this harder than it has to be. All you have to do is just provide me information because I hope you now understand how this may not bode well for you." I tried to make her understand as she sat there a bit scared yet still not speaking.

"Sandra I won't hurt you if you tell me everything you know about the stone." sighing I spoke to her again.

"Sandra this is really important, please help us. She is not like Raaky and I promise she will be helpful to you in an hour of need. You can feel how powerful she is." Abelia moved and put her hand over Sandra's to calm her. I guess now I was helping for random pieces of information too.

One thing I learned living on the streets and being among the harshest to the most privileged conditions, that this world will never provide you anything unless you snatch it or give something in return. It may sound poetic but the truth still stands amidst all this reminding us vividly that we always stand irrevocably alone.

"Since when did you start siding with the benders Abelia? I trusted you to not tell anybody about me and yet still you first helped Raaky and now this stranger??" That was a new. Abelia didn't really talk about this, while I was wondering how she knew this woman could help me. I needed to focus on the stone right now we could talk about where her loyalties lie later.

"Look Sandra just please help me and I'll make sure Raaky doesn't bother you." We were on a clock.

"I don't know much but I know its hidden in the city and something guards it, no man or creature has ever made it past that thing to the stone. My great-grand father took about 100 men with him to take the stone but none of them returned all those men were either witches, benders or shifter's. I have his diary that speaks of the stone." She spoke finally. My hope peaked as she started talking about it and how much of a challenge it would be.

"Alright so give me the diary?" I asked her rhetorically.

"Since the moment I have seen you, you have only terrorised me or demanded I give you confidential family history and now you want a family heirloom. What makes you think I'll give you the diary."

"Abelia do you know where she lives." I asked Abelia and turned to Sandra "If you don't want me to tear your house apart you better start talking, woman. This is bigger than your or my ego. I am on a clock and its already 5 pm. You will get your diary back so tell me." I was thoroughly done with all the bullshit.

"Abelia you HAD to go tell her that I might know something. I'll deal with you myself." She spat at Abelia "I'll give you the diaries if I get something in return." she stood up.

"Sure speak your prize." I spat sarcastically at her, mirroring her attitude. She was one stubborn middle aged lady.

"I want something from inside the place where the stone is. Its a compass that belonged to my great grand father who led the expedition in search of the stone. You promise to me that you will get it for me. If you stay alive." I nodded at her in agreement, well nothing that bad will come from it.

"How do I know you will keep your word." she asked narrowing her eyes at me.

"She can do anything but break her promise and I am a witness to that." Abelia spoke in my defense and her sudden words in support of me surprised me. Maybe something with the fact that I have never received any support at all without anything in return. I get it she needs her husband back and I can help her but between that and the visions she's helping me with exactly what our deal was, everything she is doing is out of free will and not asking anything in return.

"You didn't ask me for protection against Raaky?" I was curious because she is already in hiding.

She chuckled humorlessly "You die and I am on square one. If you live I get the compass because you can't back out of the deals you make. You think I can't see you are not from the time of now where promises and words mean bullshit. You have noble blood and its magic that compels you to never back out of a deal. And I've been protecting myself against Raaky forever." She stood up.

"I promise if I make it back I'll get your compass." I nodded again at them.

*_*

Sandra was walking at about a 60 meter distance from me so no one could see her with me. It was better this way probably because The city is crawling with Raaky's loyal dogs, waiting for me to make a wrong move. What confused me was why he had them after me. He himself assigned this task to me so why was he trying to sabotage this. Nobody is that stupid, he needed this done.

I was just hoping he didn't see me flashing. Hopefully the extra effort helped. If he did see me then I will have to work a way around it to look less suspicious. There is a divide in the world. Only one divide, no race, color, cast or religion holds any light over that divide. There are only two types of people; good and bad. Rare abilities bring attention from both and while one can help the other can destroy.

I can very well leave this city alive and kicking but the fate of this city is what I worry about. Destiny repeating itself has a habit for me.

I have tried for a thousand years to reach back here. I started no root or stem, jist soil and seed. My loss is what had made me learn from my mistakes, there have been countless lessons.

As we continued walking down the streets in sped up steps sometimes and slowed the others, I felt a chill run down my back. The chill that has helped me all through my life. Surely enough someone was watching and following too. I realized soon that Sandra had to continue on her own now. I took Sandra's address just in case something came up and told her to get the diary to Abelia if I could not keep up. Guess I can't keep up now.

Rounding the corner I walked in a less crowded alley and kept walking further until I was sure no one was around.

Alright then.

Halting, I concentrated inside my mind and searched for the most harmful of all; fire. Once I found it and extracted it out from the depth, I opened my eyes to see my palms blazing with the orange, red and blue flames in respective order of damage. Blue fire is the worst and it can do more damage than any other. It took me months to get hold of this. I could turn all of the fire blue ensuring to hurt the opponent. Fire is the most dangerous and one of the most beautiful elements. With power it hold so much that benders normally do not understant of try to look past the destructive authority it has.

"You should know better than to sneak up on a bender, be a man and come up to me if you have some issue. I can talk civilized you know." I turned and was surprised to see Raaky standing in all his might wearing that million dollar smile, clearly amused by my cautionary measures.

He looked so young and boyish. He tries so hard to hide under that big bad beast façade, the boy is still there somewhere inside killing himself to keep up this heartless appearance for the world. There was a part of me that sympathsized with the boy that I knew all those years ago. This was the thing with us benders or creatures in general, our minds and souls aged while our bodies remained young forever. He seemed familiar with it and I was also no exception.

"I was out for a walk and saw you so I decided to see what progress you had made. I'm guessing there is only very little progress." He walked towards me casually, his hands dug in his front pockets and I stared at him like a teenager. He was handsome and he knew it. He smirked realizing it. Asshole. Dammit he smelled good. My senses were a little off today, maybe lack of sleep. I never allow my thought to run so wild but this was knew as if out of my control. Ignoring I answered him.

"You do know I can control four element and I have I can sense alot of things too. You WERE following me and I am not blind to see your dogs on high alert around the city plus they have also been keeping an eye on me since I left your place." I put out the fire and walked towards him. He was not here to fight.

"Hey I just wanna know how you're going to get something I could NOT." he said nonchalantly yet arrogantly.

"My duty is to make the stone accessible to you and tell you about it. If you were just keeping an eye on me that would've been different, what I don't get is why are you trying to stop me?" he chuckled and walked even further, further than I would like to be near him but I didn't back away, I couldn't will my body to do it.

His eyes kept changing colors like they did that night and today and he was again staring in my eyes confused like he was when I met the council. What The hell is wrong with his eyes why do they keep doing that.

He recovered from his confused look and shook his head as if to rid his mind of a thought.

"You sure are something Evengelic." That smirk was back and instinctively I backed away from him.

"Don't worry I'll find out why you want to stop me. I would suggest that you get used to me being a pain in your. See you after the 24 hours are done." I spoke to him and started turning away from him when he spoke.

"I told you, you can take your time but if you can bring it in 24 hours its your wish." He gave me that challenging look like he knew I could not get the stone or he would stop me from completing that task.

"Raaky you should know, if I had to tear the city apart to find the stone I would do just that. Now I should be on my way, you are wasting my time" I looked back at him stating my point before walking away.

"Wait, I have to ask you something?" His voice stopped me short in my tracks

I stopped but didn't turn "Can you flash?" I heard suspicion in his voice.

"I think I'll leave you to figure that out on your own." with that said I walked out of the alley and into the busy street all the while a smirk plastered to my face. It was really petty of me to be able to get thelast word but it really was satisfying.

I cannot go back to Sandra's house he will definitely send someone to follow me and I cannot risk the woman's life on this. She says she can handle him but I can't have her hurt on my watch.

So I made my way back to the mansion and called Abelia but she didn't pick up so instead I texted her to come to the mansion as soon as possible while on the other hand I texted Sandra to bring the diary to the mansion, But secretly.

She got here in no time with the diaries.

"Thankyou and I am sorry for treating you badly. If I do come out alive I'll make sure you get that compass after I complete the task."

"You're the first bender to say they are sorry for what they did to me and you only treated me badly. Anyway I hope these are worth the trouble I'm about to get in." she turned and started walking.

"I'll look out for you don't worry they won't get to you. Try not to be seen while walking out of here. Alesina has his men tailing me." She chuckled waving the matter off.

"I know how to deal with that psychopathic murderous i***t don't worry he wont hurt me." she left with that. Looked like she was familiar with Raaky's vile behavior.

I started reading the diaries and they said a lot about the stone. I had all my answers after I was done.

The stone has too much power for him to take control of it. Good now I have one more problem; finding a way to not let him take the stone.

I closed my eyes tired from the day's work and soon drifted to sleep on the couch. The next thing I know was waking up to the banging of my door.

What the hell! Whoever it was wanted to break that door down. Groggily I willed myself up and flashed towards the door and opened it on full alert in case whoever was it attacked me.

"Abelia what the hell! I asked you to come to me not parade down my door." she was panting like she ran here, hands on her knees, clutching her lungs for dear life. She moved pass me and walked inside.

"Where's the kitchen?" I pointed to the direction of the kitchen on the right wing of the house and walked after her watching her gulp down a whole water bottle like an animal.

"So are you going to tell me what happened now?" I asked once she was settled and I landed beside her on the couch.

"Your blood happened, Eva?" I gave her a bewildered look for her to continue.

"Your blood nearly killed me today. I was trying to tap the cloaking on the stone by making your blood as a power medium. Suddenly everything on my work station exploded and that's not ALL. I went into some loophole, dream or vision. That place was horrible. When I woke up I ran here because I could hear voices and see shadows in my house after all that." She had a far off look on her face that showed she was absolutely scared.

"What did you see? Can you explain it?" The horror in her face was setting in a chill that I have tried to escape with every bad thing I've faced.

"It was horrible. Darkness was everywhere and it seemed like a small room or something like that. The wall was broken at at one side but it was raining because the ceiling was leaking and all I could hear between thunders was the alarming silence. Until I heard sobs................so instinctively I searched the space and in one corner there was this girl crying." she stopped off somewhere in the moment reliving it.

"I called out to her but she didn't listen sh-she couldn't hear me Eva. Then I don't know what happened, I was suddenly sent outside some village. It was burning and screams echoed from every corner and from then on I saw the girl every time. It was as if I was reliving her memories. The things I saw, Eva...... It scared the living life out of me, how it would've moulded this childs life-makes me shiver with fear." she ranted obviously still in a daze.

"Did you see her face or anything else noticeable?" I inquired fearing her answer. Dammit I had to go and give her my blood. I remembered my training days when Zuhera told me that a drop of blood is all this world needs to create a connection for destruction.

"She looked eight or nine and wore this sky blue dress it went down to her feet, I didn't see her face however as I progressed in those memories sort of things the dress grew smallers and smaller so I am assuming she grew up and it was all her memories. Bu-but there was one thing. Her hair!" She looked at me eyes wide with awe. I am the most stupidest thing on the planet. I mentally face palmed myself.

"She had the most beautiful hair I'd ever seen in my life. They were red. A red I had never seen, they looked alive however her memories must've killed her insider. I feel bad for the girl,seemed like she faced hell on earth." Abelia shivered from the memories of it.

"Abelia you stay here I'll go check your place if I can find something that can help." I stood up dismissing the topic.

"You know her........?" She stated more than questioned, narrowing her eyes at me.

"What?! No I don't know her. Look just get some sleep, take any room down the hall or in any part of this mansion I'm in the one infront of the library, top floor." I pointed in the halls direction beside the stairs. "I will get all of your stuff here don't worry you wont have to go back there."

Before she could ask any more questions and I could lie-I got out.

That was a close call, I need to be more alert.

When I reached at Abelia's, the outside premises of her house looked calmer, but I knew the real deal was inside. I opened her door cautiously and stepped inside. The moment I stepped in, there was this smell coming from somewhere in the house. What surprised me was that it was amazing like actually intoxicating, putting me in a haze. I followed the dangerous yet inebriating smell all the way to her work station.

She was right, everything had exploded in this room, except the table she was working on, it was still barely intact but there was this light or energy emerging from it. Half of it was purple and other half red, these both colors were exactly like my.........what does this mean. I had to be careful of this. Crap!

The light was emerging from a spot on the map-Abelia was trying to find the stone on. Without thinking I touched the energy and lets just say it was a stupid move. The energy was excruciatingly hot! but something happened because as I stumbled back I heard whispers like someone was whispering in my ear.

It was a man's voice I was sure of it. Deep and throaty. I felt like someone had pulled their arm around my waist and I was pressed against a body stiff and hard. My motor skills were rendered useless infront of the trance I had entered in. I became immobile and didn't move no matter how hard I tried to will my mind, by the time it was finished I had goosebumps all over me.

Instinctively I turned around as soon as it finished and blazed my arms with fire in the process to fight my opponent.

No one was there.

The whispers still fresh in my memory is what I left Abelia's house with along with her few things. The words kept playing in a loop in my mind, just to figure out what they meant. "He is coming. He will come when the soul finds the soul. He will come to take the devil away. The devil was once an angel too."

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