Penumbrae: The origin

CHAPTER 13: I AM WORTHY

Is anyone counting the amount of times I have fainted? Honestly if my life were to be recorded in book form it would be named ‘Isabelle and the time she spent fainting.’ Although, I think I have every right to whine and complain about my life and the way my destiny was weaved. If anyone superior is listening to my thoughts please make my life less miserable so I don’t look like a damsel in distress. Next time I meet some of the almighty people I would advise them not to make vicious creatures and even if they make them, they shouldn’t tell my name to them. There should be some secrecy.

I gained conscious only when I felt like someone was sitting on my head. I could hear the chaos around me but I still wasn’t able to open my eyes. The amount of noise around me was giving me an immense headache. I couldn’t stop myself from groaning and move a little but I couldn’t move my limps. Fearing that I was paralyzed my eyes open without fluttering. I groaned once more closing my eyes again due to high brightness. On my groaning the whole world went silent and I was at peace again. The number of hurdles I must jump over to find out my parents are uncountable at this point I am thinking about giving up.

The amount of sweat, time and energy I am investing in finding my parents; I bet it took them few minutes to abandon me. Even if it were a necessity to leave me, the least they could do was come back to get me. What if they aren’t even alive? What if I was abandoned because they were killed? Why am I wasting my time then? Even if they aren’t here then shouldn’t I get a message from my uncles or aunt? I hate my life right now. Everything seems so useless.

My eyes suddenly snapped open due to the whirring sound beside my ears. My eyes didn’t get the chance the look around the area where I was hostage due to the proximity of a person.

“AHHHHHH WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” I asked the person that was standing beside me and he didn’t even flinch. I looked at him and didn’t see any fear on his face. He was calm and collected. I thought me waking up and moving around will make him nervous.

“Trying to make you hear less. You can hear high frequencies and many voices at once. I am just fixing it.” The guy was touching my ears and side of my face with a machine, I guess. It felt like he was writing something. It was like feather however I could feel warmth tingling wherever his machine touched me.

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?” unfortunately, I couldn’t hear him well resulting in me screaming.

“Holy Hephaestus! You have gone deaf.”

“Why are you whispering? Are you trying to help me?”

“My Gods. I SAID I AM MAKING YOU HEAR LESS!”

“Geez you didn’t have to scream.”

“hold up. YOU ARE MAKING ME WEAR LESS! NO. NOPE. HELP. r**e. YOU ARE INVADING MY PERSONAL BUBBLE. HELP.” I thrashed around but couldn’t get away from the person much. I felt my hands but they were tied behind the tree. Not only my hands were tied but so were my legs, feet and arms. Freaking 4 strings to restraint me? What do they think of me?

“Drystan you are paying me for this.”

“HELP. GET AWAY FROM ME AND MY BUBBLE.”

“May I gag her?”

“Go ahead”

“NO. I WILL Kmmm mmm-“

“Gosh! That’s peaceful.”

With my limps restrained and my mouth gagged I couldn’t do much. I do want to give up but not like this, I thrashed in my place again, try to get away from the guy who was holding the machine but it didn’t help much. I was tied to a tree. A freaking tree. This was like mocking me that I can’t use my powers well. If I could use my powers I would be out of here in a minute.

“Calm down. He is not hurting you. We just want to help you with the banshee case.” It was tall one. The boss. I only heard help and banshee and calmed down instantly. I used the rest of my time tied up scanning my surroundings.

 I perceived that the area was surrounded by tress. We were in the middle of forest with a massive clearing.  In the middle of the clearing was a patch of stone floor with pieces of woods stacked up. It looked like they were ready for a bonfire. Straight ahead, at the edge of the clearing was a big wooden and stone house. It was at least two stories tall and the numerous windows indicated that the house had many rooms. There were several smaller but similar cabins scattered here and there around the whole clearing. On my left I saw a river flowing from the forest into the clearing and it ended in a big lake. This place didn’t look big but it felt big. It was like the place was deceiving my eyes. On my right there was another building similar looking to the house but I could hear machine from there.

Wait. I can hear again. I CAN HEAR! Yes!

The guy that was ‘fixing’ me left my side and stood next to the boss man and they started discussing something while my eyes caught a glimpse of a lot people fighting. Fighting? I think they might be training. Groups of people were sparring and fighting against one another. Some used weapons and other used bare hands.

One guy specifically caught my eye. His fighting style was unique and he was beating everyone. He moved around his opponents smoothly and never once did he doubted his moves. He was swift and fast. The sword wielded by the guy was just like Alexanders although this was dark colored metal and it looked more better than Alexanders. He gave low fade a whole new meaning. The sides were buzzed but the top of his head had long fringes that were falling in front of his eyes, they were wet and dancing as he moved. Looking at his gaze startled me as his gaze never faltered and were too calm for his actions.  

One minute I was staring at the person who was merciless to his opponents and the next his gaze met mine as he was done fighting his opponent by making his opponent weaponless. My eyes widen at realization that I was shamelessly staring at a guy who might just be given task to kill me. He started walking towards me and my fear got the best of me. I started failing around, trying my best to get out of my bounds.

“mmm mmmm mmmm mm!” I wanted to say ‘get me out of here’ but what can a muffled mouth do? Nothing.

“Drystan?” The merciless fighter asked the boss man but his gaze was fixed on me. His gaze was enough to make anyone drop dead. I think I peed my pants.

“Not worthy yet.” Who isn’t worthy? Hopefully not me.

“Does that mean I can kill her?” IT IS ME. They should untie me to show them that I can be very worthy. I wanted to kill these humans. I wanted to be on the run again. I am fine with monsters trying to kill me, at least they don’t speak and bring my morale down. These guys are worse kind of people. They make me more anxious and nervous about the way my mind works.

“mmmmm!” I can’t believe they have me gagged.  My point is worth hearing.

“I think princess here disagrees. Drystan? What is your command?” The guy who helped me with hearing issue can understand muffles. Yay!

“Bring her to the furnaces.”  

I did not like what ever he meant by that. I didn’t know that by furnace they would drag me to the house from where sound of machines was coming and make me stand in front a huge furnace that can swallow me whole. I tried to run and get out of the grip of merciless fighter and another random yet brawny person but their grip was made of steel. My legs were dangling, being dragged against the ground while my arms were held by them and my hands still bounded behind my back. Although when they untie me from the trees, I tried to run away like a clueless donkey but someone caught me.

Now I stand in front of lava, sweating profoundly, waiting to be thrown in. Initially, I was thrown near the furnace and my mouth was un-gagged and un-bounded but the heat from the furnace made me step back. I turned around to see my exit was blocked by several other brawny guys. Except one.

“Ezra!” standing there in his glory was Ezra, Alexander’s mentor.

“hey princess.” He waved but never once he let the grim expression from his face fall. Ugh I hate this.

“if you get me out of here, I will never tell anyway about the Wentiko incident. I promise.” I was desperate to try everything before giving up.

“seriously? Blackmail? That’s even below your standard darling.” At least this made him smile. I huffed and waited for the boss man to come.

“What are you waiting for? Ezra and Elijah please do us honor by throwing her in.”

“Can I at least know the name of the person who wants me dead so bad and in a gruesome way.”

“why of course Lysander. I am Drystan. The leader of the forgers. Now Elijah. Please proceed.” The boss man sauntered and sat on the arm of chairs and started playing with the crown that was placed on the chair. With one gesture both Elijah, the merciless fighter and Ezra started walking my way.

“No! this isn’t fair.”

“Nothing is fair child.” Drystan looked bored now. He was done with my behavior and wanted this to be over with faster. He stopped playing with the crown and placed it on the side of his head.

“You don’t understand. NO don’t proceed. I am telling you. I have some higher purpose. Elijah, I demand you to stop. Just stop. I don’t want to die yet.” I turned around and found Elijah and Ezra walking ahead with one purpose. I pleaded them to hear me out or to reason with me but they didn’t hear. I could hear the snickers around the room. People found this amusing while I was petrified. I took a quick glance around the room and saw axe nearby. I walked faster towards and grabbed it in my hand.

I decided that was the wrong decision after I wielded it. I was heavy and I couldn’t carry it for long time at all.

“woah! Calm girl. You can’t handle that. Put it back.” Elijah said stopping in his tracks. Whereas Ezra disappeared from my sight.

“I don’t have to handle it. I just have to swing it!” I exclaimed swinging the axe which worked because Elijah backed away cursing. I ducked on instinct and swung my axe realizing Ezra’s trick.

“Attacking from back? Coward!” Ezra dropped his weapon in fear which I have no idea how he got.

The heat from the furnace made the atmosphere humid and the weight of axe was making me sloppy and slow. I couldn’t think of anything. While my mind was wondering why the others aren’t attacking me and helping their buddies, everyone else drew their weapons out except Drystan.

“forgers stand back. I have only allowed Ezra and Elijah. Let’s be fair.” Drystan spoke before my eyes fall out of my sockets. Sure, letting Elijah fight me was being fair. A merciless fighter vs the girl who slips on banana.

“and defeat a wentiko saving her best friend and an unknown person. Let’s not forget you also distracted two glamoured demons by using dark watchers.” Ophelia is alive!

The axe fell out of my hand as soon as something hard bumped into my back. Sword’s hilt. I hate Elijah.

I glanced down and saw the ground wasn’t covered with stones rather it was solid ground. If only I knew how to activate my power. I looked at Elijah who threw his weapon away and it just disappeared into thin air. Before I could make sense of what happened which is something, I find myself do a lot. Elijah spoke.

“I am going to be fair.” Before I even got ready Elijah used his legs to unbalance me and make me drop to ground. At least he was gentleman enough to wait for me to get up. I have never fought a human and I was scared to injure one now. I Can’t beat him in his own territory. Before he could attack again, I rolled to another side and kicked his feet to try to make him fall but unfortunately, he was good enough to know my move and jumped dodging my leg. He managed to send a roundhouse kick to my head make me fall face first on the ground and hit my head on the solid ground. The luck was also my side because my nose hit one of the rock laying on the ground. I groaned getting up instantly regretting because my head weighed a ton. I touched my nose and winced as pain shot up my nose and to my head by slight touch. It was also bleeding. I wiped the blood from my nose by and hand and faced Elijah.

Elijah would either punch or kick me. I need to lay a hit on him at least once for my satisfaction. I decided to attack his shin as I thought he would prefer his legs and kicks for long range attacks. He had long legs. Before Elijah could lay a hand on me, I side-stepped him and tried to trip him but he caught his balance. I didn’t stop there; I kicked his shin making him drop on ground. He didn’t even give me time to think of my next move. He came at me with full speed, his face showed rage and I knew he will make me regret kicking his shin. I punched him on the face hard when he got close to me but recoiled when my hand cracked.

Next scene flashed by my eyes in slow motion. I was pulling my hand away to cradle it but Elijah caught my wrist in hands and judo flipped me. I landed on the floor with my face facing down. I felt his knee on my back, prohibiting me from getting up. He proceeded by taking my wrist and placing it on my back. I was pinned down.

I twisted my face to catch a glimpse of Elijah and saw him smiling my way.

“Courageous. Just like your father.” Drystan spoke from his chair with curiosity written all over his face. His comment was the only that got my attention. He knew my father. All that was going around my head was that I was so close to my answer. I wanted to ask something about my father, but I was frozen. My mind was blank, and my body was immobile. Elijah pulled back my head to look at me also to give me more pain then I already am in. For the first time in my lifetime, the bruise on my neck was searing. 

“No one have ever made me drop. It was nice to meet you Isabelle.” Elijah said c*****g his head to the side. I winced as he slammed my face into the ground and got off me.

I turned to my side and tried to curl into the ball. Emphasize on tried because my whole body felt like it was bruised. I tried to recount all my wounds and bruises from past week. The wentiko claw attack and my body smashing into the mirror. Then when I was attacked by the snobby teenagers and the girl nicked my arm. And now. So overall. My whole body is done. My mouth was filled with metallic taste indicating blood in my mouth. I felt being picked up. I had no energy to plead anymore and with the last of my energy I saw Drystan gesture someone to finish me off. 

My breathing got uneven knowing that I was about to die. I felt my whole-body shake and I couldn’t control anything. Only one thought was keeping me going. I was so close to finding my father; his name and who he was. I wanted to know him. The brawny guy who escorted me to this room picked me up and started walking towards the furnace. I touched the ground and closed my eyes thinking about the earth saving me. 

'I have no one. Only you. Please save me. I don’t want to die when I am this close to my answer.’ I felt the ground vibrate a little. Maybe it’s just me. 

I was raised high to be thrown in the furnace while I whimpered and screamed but no one pay me heed. I saw little bumps form on ground.

“I am worthy. I am. I am worthy of knowing my parents.” I tried to inform them but my voice came out in barely whisper.

“what are you trying to say Lysander?” Drystan got up from his chair and walked towards me. I suddenly felt something rush through my body. I felt every part of my body tingle and I felt energy surging through me. My droopy eyes weren’t drooping anymore. I had to get to Drystan. 

“I SAID I AM WORTHY!” I screamed as I realized the tendril were coming out of the ground. The tendril rose high and curled around the brawny guy and tightened around him. He dropped me not so gracefully. I hit my head again and backed away to a wall. I saw everyone’s expression and concluded that everyone was shook. Drystan went rigid and looked my way. He started coming my way and I knew it was to discard me. 

“No one will come near me.” I said slowly and as soon as I said it, I gestured with my hands. I locked two of my hands together and commanded the soil to bend to my will. Several tendrils rose and clasped around everyone’s feet. 

“AM I WORTHY NOW? WHO IS MY FATHER?” I stood up and advanced towards Drystan. Who still looked calm? Why isn’t he scared of me?

I started limping towards Drystan and took a hold of someone’s weapon laying on the ground. I raised my borrowed weapon and pointed it at Drystan.  

“You are very worthy Lysander. Your father will be proud.” Drystan said calmly. 

“You are mad at me Lysander. Let my people go.” Drystan added looking at his men. From the sound I could tell they were struggling.

“So, they can attack me and help you? No!” I shifted my weight to my other feet and balanced the sword in my hand. I saw Drystan eyes change from grey to purple color. He was looking behind me and gestured in some sign language. 

I turned around to see Elijah with his sword in his hand and out of his earth restraints. 

“I want answers Drystan. I want them now! I am not a puppet here entertaining you!” 

“I understand. Be patient.” 

“Were you being patient when you were throwing me into that furnace?” 

“My ways are harsh Isabelle, but they worked. Let me go and we can talk.” 

“NO!” 

Another tendril rose and curled around Drystan. What I didn’t know was the more I was using my power the more I was draining myself and the more I was shaking. 

I suddenly lost control over my body and I started saying things I didn’t mean to. I started hearing many voices and I knew I wasn’t me. At least not for now. I knew my eyes would be glowing right now but I didn’t care about anything anymore. The pain in my body heightened and I gave in.

“At the brink of summer, dark shall bloom and lead the stray to f*******n room. From the ashes the hope is awoken and renewed shall be the blade that was once broken. The final choice burdens the betrayed one and the light will wither the old one.”

I buckled and fell onto the ground. I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking and I couldn’t stop the voices in my head. My concentration diverted and all the tendril vanished but no one dared to take their weapon out. I bought my hands up to feel my face and I felt liquid dripping from my mouth. Blood. Blood and pain were the only thing right now that kept my eyes open. Drystan came forward and bended to my level. 

“Oh my. You are very worthy.” 

“I just need my parents.” I said barely whispering and looked up. The guy who helped me with my hearing came forward with another person. This time it was a girl. She came forward and held me up, supporting me and leading me outside. Her touch was magically as it soothed me as soon as she touched me. She led me to the two-story house and laid me down. 

“I can’t believe Drystan let Elijah fight you while you were in such a delicate shape. Sleep pickle. I will make sure those people don’t drag you into another fight. I will make sure nothing happens to you.” Her voice compelled me and I welcomed sleep as drowsiness enveloped around me.