Rising from the Ash

AMEN iv

I broke his hand as he laid them on my shoulder. That moment, I felt a surge of power flow within me. My hair was growing at a faster rate than that of humans and I noticed the same with Zelda. I had just escaped hell in Amadiran and these men won't give me another.

I tossed him away and stood my ground, looking at the surprised men who probably didn't see that coming. But the next moment was decisive. One of them hurled at me. I dodged his punch and headbutted his nose. It broke and before he could recover, I sent him a kick on the groin and smashed his face against my knee. He fell down flat. The other two attacked me simultaneously. I grabbed the first man and shoved him into the wall. Then I sent a kick to the second man's face and he passed out immediately. I guess Aré's training did pay off after all.

The man that had touched me took advantage of the situation and aimed a crossbow at me. I heard him fire and I could feel the kinetic energy as the arrow flew towards me. But then I felt another energy and in the next moment, a man stood before me holding the arrow in his hand. Zelda threw a knife towards me. I jumped, twisted in midair and kicked the knife at the man who had fired. It struck his heart and he fell down dead. That was when It dawned on me. I had just taken my first life.

The man who 'saved' me opened his eyes in horror as the man fell down dead. The other fellows rushed out of the scene and I heard one of them say

"You'll pay for this."

I didn't know who he was referring to at first. However, when the man who helped us cursed, I knew what that meant.

You're welcome by the way."

he said to us as we stared at him. He had a strange aura around him and I felt like I'd known him for a long time. I observed him closely. He looked like a normal handsome human being with dark twisted locks of hair. 'Twisted hair!' could he be a Ztafa? But that was impossible. No Ztafa has ever escaped Amadiran. Those who even dreamed of such things were executed. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he's just a human who strangely moves faster than normal.

Amadiran's royal army are well trained and even better are the elite teams of the prince. He might just be like them.

"Thank you for your help sir. We're grateful." I told him

He looked at me and I could see the desire in his eyes. Since I get that alot, I could recognise it from anybody. My body tensed as I waited for him to make the same move others did. But he didn't. He simply looked away and walked towards the body of the dead man. For the first time, I was surprised.

"The baron will have my head for this. Literally. I come down to save you guys and you committed a murder here." he said bitterly

"Murder? The bastard tried to kill her. A quick is death is merciful compared to what I had in store for him."

Zelda shot back at him. I laughed softly. She wasn't the patient type and this stranger didn't know that.

"I'm sorry if we've caused you any trouble. We'll be on our way now."

I said and nodded to Zelda. As we began walking away, he blocked our path.

"The baron will have all of his men searching for us right now. As amazing as I think you both are, you can't take on all of those men."

Zelda laughed.

"Try us."

"Look, come with me. I can get you a place to stay for the night. Then you'll be on your way and I'll handle the baron."

I looked at Zelda and she nodded to me. We needed the rest after all. We had no idea what was ahead of us.

So, we followed this stranger as he led us through hidden alleys. First time I'm visiting a strange city, I'm already passing through hidden places. Was it my destiny to be hunted at all times? I looked at the stranger who easily glided through the streets. I wondered if I could ever know a place that well. Somehow, I felt jealous of him.

"If we're walking together, can I at least know your name?"

His voice shook me from my thoughts.

"Amen. She's Zelda."

I said to him.

"I'm Zen.I take it you're strangers here? Only strangers will be foolish enough to pick a fight with baron Oliver."

"we are. We're travellers." I said to him

"where are you going?"

"Are we there yet?"

Zelda interrupted. I understood what she was doing. She wanted to remind me that I can't spill any information to any one. I got her cue.

"yes, we are." Zen said as we stood in front of a house. He then brought out a key and opened a door. He went in and we followed. It was a well furnished place and as soon as he said the words, Zelda and I sunk into the chairs.

Within minutes, we were already munching some snacks he gave us. We were so hungry that we didn't even bother to suspect any foul play. I saw him coming towards us with two cups Of milk In his hands. Just then, he slipped a little and a cup fell of his hand. When the cup hung on midair, I realized what I had done. How could I be so stupid? He looked at me with mixed emotions and I could see Zelda tense up.

"You're a Ztafa?" he asked slowly.

"You didn't know what you saw." Zelda said to him.

"No. Don't try to cover it up. I won't tell."

"Why?" I asked

Then, the ground shook a little and pepples filled the air. They glided towards him and moulded into a mass.

"Because I am like you."

I was right after all. I'd heard about the myth that a Ztafa could sense another but I never knew it was true. He was an earth Ztafa. They're rumoured to be very strong. I could see the excitement on his face. Yet, I had so many questions. He sat down and urged us to continue eating.

"What can you do?"

He asked me

" I'm telekinetic. She heals and afflict. How did you get out of the palace?"

"I never got in. My mother spirited me away to Haires. I've been living here ever since. How did you escape?"

"It's a long story. We had a chance and we took it. The palace guards are probably looking for us right now. We are on a mission."

"Which is?"

I was skeptical at first but he grinned.

"we're the same. I may be able to help you."

I sighed and took off the headtie on my head.

"We're looking for moonstones. They have the ability to trigger the peak of a Ztafa's abilities even without them having hairs on their head. Think of it as an external power source to us. Alone, they act for a few minutes but when the three are combined, they Can power up all Ztafas in existence."

"wow. I never knew something like that existed. Do you know where to find them?"

"not really. We only have one of them here." I brought out the moonstone and he stared at it. As he was about to touch it, I drifted it away.

"You only have one shot at it. I used mine to get us out of the palace. Save yours for when it's most necessary."

"Okay." He said and sat back.

"Back there, catching that cup, that was amazing. Considering the fact that your hair is still quite low."

"I have Ôra's spirit inside me. Technically, it makes me more powerful than other Ztafas."

"interesting. No wonder you flung a man like a doll. I should have seen the signs."

He said and laughed. I couldn't help but smile as well. It felt so nice seeing someone who understood what I was. For the first time, I wasn't ashamed to talk about myself. I was happy. Just then, Zen jumped up. He looked worried.

"We have to go."

"Why?" Zelda asked.

"The baron's men are coming. I can feel their footsteps."

I was quite amazed but now that I was focused, I could feel their energy as well. They were very many. We rushed towards the door but an explosive blasted the door away. Hoards for big looking men rushed in and we had to fight them off. Zen easily broke necks, bones and any other thing that could be broken. He didn't use his powers and I wondered why amidst the commotion.

I froze two men from moving and flung a third man over my shoulder as he attempted to attack from behind. I lost my grip on the other men as they rushed towards me with swords and stakes. I drew my sword and dodged the first attack. I slit the thigh of the second man and cut off the hand of the first man. They cried out and I gave them both finishing punches on their temple. I stabbed the third man at the shoulder without even looking at him for I felt his energy. I saw the men pinning Zelda to the ground. I flipped towards them and cut down the men. Just then, more men pumped in.

"we need to get the hell outta here."

Zen said and looked at the roof.

"I'll hold them off." I said to him and focused all of the energy I had into restraining the men from moving. It felt like uprooting a tree. My body ached and I cried out in pain. They began moving slowly as I felt roof debris on my head. Zen had climbed up and punched the roof to pieces.

"Come on!"

He called out and I released my grip on the men. Then I climbed as well and so did Zelda. We got to the rooftop and heaved a sigh of relief.

Just then, I felt an incoming arrow. I caught it as it almost impaled Zelda's face. We all looked down and behold it was the Prince and the elite squad. I could deal with palace guards but these were too skilled. Unless I could summon the full extent of my powers like I did last night, we had to run and fight another day. I saw the prince pick up a bow and an arrow. He fired two arrows at once and I could only catch that of Zelda again. That was when I realized who the second arrow was meant for!