The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

ENCOUNTER

“A Yahurian?”- Souna thought to herself in confusion, raising her hands with caution -“Did he say he is a Yahurian” “How can it be?” “He has to be lying”.

-Who sent you?- The man roared, his spear inching forward into her back and making her yelp.

-You are no Yahurian- She replied shakily – You cannot be. I was told Yahurians are supposed to be righteous and fair. But you are keeping an unarmed, helpless woman under threat.

-You are not unarmed - The warrior replied impatiently- I can see the bulge of the knife you carry on your back. I don't believe you're helpless either. And you are not under threat… Yet. So, I ask again… Who. Sent. You?

How could he have known that? Souna´s mind wondered in awe. Her loose clothing should have been enough to conceal it… Could this man be telling the truth about who he was?

He sounded genuine. But she could not know for sure… She would have to take her chances and find out. But first, she needed to survive. So, she made her call.

-Anam-Xe, former Guider of Yahurians, sister of Pahoka-Xe, and mother of my mother sent me- Souna recited calmly - I am here to ask for Yahur´s favor.

She felt the edge of the spear quiver for a second, before pressing harder and starting to pierce her thick clothes.

-Keep your hands up and turn around slowly-The stranger commanded with a calm voice.

Souna did as she was told, her arms still raised up in the air as she slowly spun around and found herself before a frightening image. The gigantic man was wearing quilted armor, his torso, forearms and legs shielded in dark metal plates just like his lower face. No helmet covered his bright golden hair, neatly secured in a long braid that hung all the way down to his pectorals. His deep blue eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe.

The large catlike beast he was riding on earlier stood a few feet behind him, staring hungrily at her and making her tremble.

-Do all Yahurians look like you?- Souna asked before she could even refrain herself, and she saw a strange shadow shift inside his sight before he let out a spine-chilling laughter.

-What kind of question is that?- He replied, his eyes sparkling with an intensity that petrified her to the bone - Now, I am the one doing the interrogation here… How do you know the name of Yahur´s previous Guider? That is old history.

-Are you deaf? I already told you… Anam-Xe sent me herself. I need to see Pahoka-Xe. She is the one who will show me my way. If you are a true Yahurian, then you will bring me to her.

-Oh, I will. Rest assured - The so-called Yahurian spoke with a sardonic voice - Then we will see if you are a liar or not.

“Same wise” - Souna thought to herself with a smirk. She did not trust this stranger one bit. He could as well be one of the invaders posing as a Yahurian for all she knew.

The sound of a faint coo attracted her attention and her eyes landed on the feline's back, discovering a small child inside a strange-looking box. A wild mop of blue hair flying around his head and a pair of even bluer eyes staring straight through her. The sweetest kid she had ever seen was smiling back at her, making her heart swell with sadness… And something else.

-I-Is that your son? - She asked, entranced, pointing at the toddler and intending to take a step towards him. Only to feel the pointy edge of the spear being pushed abruptly against her chest.

-He is not... Yahurians do not father children. He is just my mission… Which you are keeping me from completing! Now who gave you permission to lower your hands!- The young man growled with annoyance - Keep them up and turn around - He commanded, poking her forward- Yahur is right ahead.

-Well, his eyes certainly look kind of like yours- Souna commented, shrugging and pacing slowly while being pushed by the stranger's spear. She could hear the sound of his steps, followed by the quiet marching of his enormous pet.

She had started concocting a plan in her head as she feared he was leading her to a place where he could get rid of her with discretion. She would wait for him to lower his guard and at least give him a good fight. Her mind sizing him up and wondering if she would even stand a chance, on the assumption that she could manage to catch him by surprise.

Just as she was trying to decide whether she should duck down and try to kick his ankle to throw him out of balance... Like Kabil had once shown her, or try any other move on him, she realized that even if she succeeded in putting the man out of combat, she would still have to deal with his beast. And that made her hesitate long enough for the dense forest to give way into a vast clearing, revealing a colossal city enclosed by dark, towering walls.

Her eyes wandered captivated through the immense construction, taking in the magnificent view of the fortress that stood before them and slowing her pace with it.

-Keep walking - She heard the man say, urging her forward – Or you won't make it to the door.

They covered the remaining distance in no time and Souna saw the massive gates start moving open with a creaking blare. A dozen of equally masked men nodding at them from up the vigilance towers.

When they entered the impressive citadel, Souna was greeted by the sight of thousands of strongly built warriors, all dressed similarly to the man that held her captive. They all wore the same garments and masks, but unlike him, none of them had golden hair or clear blue eyes.

Even if their skin was not even close to her own coppery shade, they were all slightly tanned and their braided hair was just as dark as hers. She noticed that all gazes were averted at their procession. Everyone seemed to be ignoring them and minding their own tasks.

She looked around desperately as she kept being thrust forward, trying to cast some attention towards herself and this clear impostor that walked so blatantly among them, but her efforts rendered no fruit, and she dared not to push her luck while the sharpened tip of the spear still dug deep into her skin.

If her suspicions were right, it was just a matter of time before her cruel imprisoner got busted on his own. He might have stolen a Yahurian armor, but he still stood out like a sore thumb. For Selahrian´s sake! He was walking among a sea of strong men, holding a woman hostage while being followed by a giant cat and a blue-haired kid in a chest. What else did these warriors need to call him out for his fraud?

She did not know what this thug's plan was yet, but she was sure it could be nothing good, and she sensed he would try to use her as a distraction for his ulterior motives.

He guided her into an enormous chamber with a high vault and a large, rectangular stone placed horizontally at the very center of it. An old, but strong, masked woman sat cross-legged on it. Her eyes closed in meditation, the indigo clothes and face shield she wore clearly marking her hierarchy. A row of dark-dressed Yahurian guards flanking her on each side.

“Pahoka-Xe” - Souna realized, gasping at the resemblance to Anam just as the woman's eyes cracked open to the sound of their steps approaching. Her gray, milky irides penetrating right through her soul.

-Well...- The apparently blind leader turned her body towards them as they both stopped frozen in place - What do we have here?

-Pahoka-Xe, Guider of Yahur! Please listen to my plea- Souna rushed to start talking, stumbling on her words- I am Souna Mahiu, Anam-Xe´s flesh and blood, and I have come to beg for Yahur´s aid!

She barely paused to catch her breath and reach for the knife she'd been hiding up her sleeve since she was apprehended, her fingers clutching around it with resolution… This was her chance.

-My city has been attacked by an atrocious army of monsters…- She cried out as she pounced forward, rolling around and directing the knife to her captor's throat in a swift movement - Monsters that look exactly like him!

A loud commotion could be heard as every guard present lunged forward at once, and she found every spear in the room aimed at her helpless body. Her wrist imprisoned tightly in the golden-haired monster's grip as he effortlessly tilted the weapon towards her own neck, the edge grazing her skin and puncturing it.

-Oh…I see - He spoke tauntingly, sucking his teeth with amusement - So, you DO have a death wish.