Surge and Grit

CAPTIVE

I've never seen anything like it. Autumn and sunset in a forest. I have never gone to a forest in my whole 15 years on earth and sunsets in Los Angeles are nothing like this. Change is happening and it scares me as much as it excites me.

Just like the intense orange sun drifting away from the sky, I would soon drift away from this planet.

The tall trunks spaced out on the orange flowery sand are filled with shades of brown and orange leaves. It’s captivatingly magical.

"Can I just live here instead?" I asked knowing none of them will reply me.

Ankie sat on the warm sand in a yoga-like posture except her arms are stretched out. Her focus is on the tall trunks clustered together few meters from us.

"Ankie, can I as—"

"Please, this needs my undivided attention," she cut in without taking her eyes off the distant trees.

I just felt the need to lighten up the mood. No one has said anything since we left the cabin an hour ago. I looked up to Ghayul. He stands with his arms crossed and legs, apart like a formidable hunter. His overall black outfit adding to the effect but the soft features of his face gave him away. He has large brown eyes that makes him looks innocent. I know he knows I’m looking at him.

"Ghayul?" I tried.

"Saxar is thousandth times more captivating,” he stated in his alluring singsong voice.

 Ankie and Mazarine have the same accent but it’s not as pleasant as his. Probably because they’ve been out of Saxar many times. Ghayul only came to earth last year when Mazarine died.

"I can't wait to be there," I replied. I really can’t. I would be stepping into Saxar after fifteen years. I want to see the world that caused my sister's death and broke my dad, my best person in the world. Mom thinks I came to live with her because of the shocking truths I learned about dad. She’s not wrong but I've always wanted to come since the day Mazarine’s body was dumped on our doorstep. Dad has always forbade me to go and I’ve always listened to him but not anymore.

A bright purple light erupted from the clustered tall trees and I close my eyes, scared the intensity might blind me.

"Don't panic. Relax and open your eyes,” Ghayul whispered in my ear, placing his hands on either side of my arms. Now I don’t want to open my eyes.

 I opened my eyes, ready to see my birthland after fifteen years.

"Oh my goodness." I could not hold my surprised. This is not a world, this is a dream come true land for any fantasy-struck child.

Around me is a dense forest filled with blue and green fireflies. They rise from the ground slowly and enticing, filling the space slightly above me. I held one as it rises pass my head and realized they aren’t fireflies; they are balls of light.

“They are called Kishimirs and human folks here calls it ballflies,” Ankie said and touched one herself.

Ballflies it is.

“This is so beautiful.”

“It is,” Ghayul replied. “But, let’s make it to my hometown without getting eaten before exploring.”

“Are there creatures that can eat us here?” I asked not caring if I sounded weak.

"Yes. You can hear twigs snapping and shrubs rustling here and there. Do you think the light wind is capable of doing all that?"

Oh.

“Don’t worry. We are not going to get eaten. No nightwalker is a match for me and Ghayul,” Ankie said and I relaxed a little.

I made sure to stay between them as we walked down the path. Mom leading and Gaius following silently behind me.

The ballfllies and the streaks of rainbow colours that runs across the dark sky is a reminder of the luckless trait I’ve been born with. I would have lived in this fantasy land my whole life if I had been born with powers. My parents wouldn’t have to split up and maybe Mazarine would still be with us.

"Are there no stars here?" I asked.

"There aren't love," Ankie answered.

Aww. But I love stars.

“Wait,” Ghayul ordered suddenly. He placed his hands at the back of his ears and close his eyes. “I heard the clicking sound of horses.”

“Is that bad? Are horse bad creatures here?” I asked, my heart hammering.

“Relax, Mar. We only need to move faster. Right Gaius?”

“I hope so. I could not get how far they are. They are using Hiprud. I could hear the trashing one second and then the next, just nature.”

“We need to move faster, then.”

She wants me to relax while walking fast?

We continued down the hill, faster and tenser.

“They are here,” Ghayul mumbled. Frustration dripping from each three words. Frustration at himself for not sensing the horses sooner. 

Manics on horses appeared out of nowhere a few meters away and ride slowly towards us and tinsaz, one of the creatures I saw in one of the books at the cabin also appeared but they stayed up in the air. The tinsaz are genie-like except they have an incredibly short tail and they are pitch black.

The Manics continue to ride slowly until they formed a circle round us. Ghayul draws out his sword and positioned himself in my front. Mom does the same. They all seemed manic-like but I recognized the humans among them. They don’t have the dreamlike aura round them. The dreamlike aura I've seen on Ankie and Ghayul immediately I opened my eyes to this world. Ankie said I will also wears it but after a few days on this planet.

One of them with a crown, staring right at me is human. He is not staring the way a guy smitten should but whatever, I don’t like him either. He has a brown skin and a dense black curly hair that conceals his forehead like the African-american guys of earth. Maybe he is black american. How does the powerful manics of Saxar feel about a mere human ruling them?

"We meet again, Ankie," he said and grin. An evil grin.

“Yes, we do and now we are leaving, ” Mom said still holding her sword with two hands.

“Yet your sword is raised."

He tilted his head, his eyes set with exertion when he realizes I’m still staring at him. I force myself out of his trance and scowled at him.

"This is your first time here," he stated.

Someone is smart.

"What?"

"Huh?" I'm certain I didn't say that out loud. 

“Seize them.” Immediately he ordered, the tinsaz creatures who had appeared immobile and object-like since brought out a rope. Again, from nowhere. I’m liking magic less with each time things appears out of nowhere

Ghayul raised his sword but dropped it when Ankie shook her head. He looks at me, a small sad smile on his face, and mouthed, ‘I’m sorry.’

I nodded to him. I understand. Both of them are no match for a prince and his knights with dozens of tinsaz.

The tinsaz move, as if swimming, to us and bound our hands with rope.

“I'm not here for violence. I only want to show my daughter where she came from. I’ve made a treaty with the­­­—"

” Halt,” the prince shouted silencing my mom.

I hate him so much now.