The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

REUNITED

Sehira stood starstruck for another full second, watching the peculiar warrior charge with breathtaking power, before finally breaking out of her trance and resuming her fight. Her feet moving with precision as she advanced, firing her weapon accurately and killing three more men in a row.

Iktan caught up with her a moment later, shooting into an invader's chest, then aiming at an incoming one and firing at him before he could even make a move.

-Who is that? – The former priest called out as they both fought to stay focused on their targets.

-No idea – Sehira responded, taking a step and pressing her finger on the trigger, a satisfying thud following her action and making her briefly smile– But he seems to be on our side.

She concentrated on aiming patiently at each target, breathing out calmly after every shot, her eyes narrowing at the sight of every fallen man. Her movements becoming mechanical as she pressed forward, her weapon breaking holes in head after head as she spaced out and kept moving.

It took her a full minute to realize that the sudden deafening silence was not only inside her head, but all around. Her eyes darting from her last kill to the entirety of the enormous room and finding most of her people unhurt and nearly all of their enemies dead.

She noticed Yoe at the edge of her sight as he was hugging one of the women tightly, and that made her smirk. At least he had found his wife.

Then she saw him… The stranger. Standing serenely among the results of his c*****e and his large beast quietly sitting by him. Her pores oozing dread at his threatening looks. So, she did what her logic was screaming at her to do and directed the muzzle of her fire gun towards him.

-Put your weapon down, girl – The man instructed her in a paused tone – It is all over now.

-Who are you? – Sehira asked, still aiming her gun at his chest – How come you are helping us? Why did you turn on your own kind?

-They are not my kind – The man responded, slowly raising his arms in the air, his hand still holding his weapon tightly upwards – I was born in this land, just like you. Now quit pointing that thing at me. There is no need for it.

The girl vacillated for a moment, biting her lip, before finally directing the barrel downwards. Her eyes squinting a second later as the unexpected loud noise of a large crowd entering the place alerted her senses, her frightened hands rapidly repositioning her weapon and directing it nervously at the door.

-We are fine, Phomtek! – The stranger rushed to call out loudly, with his arms still raised up – The enemy is contained, sheathe your weapons, and come in peacefully.

Sehira remained pointing at the empty space expectantly, hearing the measured steps approach, tears welling in her eyes as the first person walked inside the room, and she almost fainted in surprise.

She clumsily put her weapon down and ran frenetically to the newcomer's extended arms, crying uncontrollably with immense joy.

-Souna! – She screeched, holding to her beloved sister's frame – Sister! I am so happy! I thought I would never see you again!

-Shhh – Souna cooed, running her hand down her head tenderly – I am back now, little one. Do not worry, we are going to make things right.

After a few more minutes holding onto Souna´s body, she finally looked up and noticed the large army that had just entered the place. All her people staring equally dumbfounded at the impressive force that surrounded them.

-So, you got to keep all the fun to yourself, Commander? – A tanned bearded man spoke, directing his words at the stranger, who remained standing in the center of the room beside his feline – You could have at least saved us some action. You know our men are bored.

-They will see plenty of it soon – The golden-haired man shrugged off distractedly – Now clear up the bodies and restrain the enemy survivors, we are going to be having a little talk later.

-They do not speak our language – Sehira commented, still hugging her sister, her eyes fixated on the warrior as his men walked in and started picking the corpses up.

-I know, but I do speak theirs – The masked man nodded at her – Let us see if there is anything interesting in what they have to say. Now tell me, girl… Where are the others?

-They marched to Mavaer – The young woman informed him – Njál is taking that city, and then they will keep moving up north.

-Not if we can stop them – The Commander distractedly responded, looking around and signaling for the weapons of the fallen invaders, his instructions shifting towards his people – I want you to take every firearm you can find and add them to ours. Understood?

-Yes, Commander! – A loud crowd responded back as Sehira watched them rapidly setting to work.

With that, the tall, masked warrior exchanged his own firearm for one of their enemies' guns, inspecting it thoroughly, then walking calmly to where the two reunited women stood and extending his hand at Sehira.

-Good job taking down your fair share of men today, girl – He spoke, shaking her small palm– You did well.

-Thanks – She muttered sheepishly, shaking his strong limb back and gesturing to her crowd – And thank you for saving us from them... I am Sehira, by the way. These are my friends: Iktan, Dabe, Yoe, Jogru, Jhoki and Jhagn. They all helped me set up the riot tonight.

-Yeah, that was quite a stupid move – The warrior eyed her reprovingly and started walking away – You almost got yourselves killed.

-Who is that jerk? – Sehira whispered to Souna as they watched him leave the room.

-Oh, that's just Ussi – Souna chuckled, patting her back - He is not that bad, you will get used to him.

A moment later, there was a faint coo beside her and Sehira´s eyes landed on a small child that approached her sister and raised his arms towards her, Souna picking him immediately up and smiling.

-And this is Axe – She explained with a big grin on her face.

-Why is his hair blue? - Her sister muttered, her eyes studying the weird kid's wild curls with curiosity.

-No idea, it's just the way he is, I guess - Souna shrugged off, placing a big cap over his head and nodding at the child – Axe, this is my sister, Sehira… Want to say hello?

The boy shook his head timidly and buried his face into her chest in answer. Stirring around for a moment before finally letting out a weak sigh and looking back at the new girl with his bright sapphire eyes.

-Hi – He spoke with a small voice, shyly returning to Souna´s embrace.

-Sorry, little one - Souna explained, chuckling - We are still working on his speech... He is not much of a talker.

-Hello Axe!- Sehira cheered, running a finger down his rosy cheek - Nice to meet you! Now let us see if we can find something for you to eat.

Souna let her sister happily drag her through the corridors as they left the overjoyed rebels hugging each other and celebrating their freedom. The women getting on their feet and slowly trying to recover from what had just taken place. Their men chattering animatedly in this brief victorious atmosphere.

-Do you know how to use that? – Souna asked, gesturing at the weapon strapped to her shoulder as Sehira rummaged through the kitchen looking for food.

-Yes – She replied, placing a piece of bread before the child– Their monstrous leader taught me.

-He did? – Souna asked with a surprised tone in her voice – Why would he?

-Because it is not the only thing that he did – Sehira breathed out bitterly, sighing with resolution – That is why I am going to find him… And I am going to kill him with it.

Souna´s eyes broadened in recognition while she hurriedly reached for her, silently hugging her soul out, and holding her tightly.

-Good... - She sighed sadly after a long, quiet moment - Now, will you teach me how to use one of those, little one?