Xinatta
Xinatta looked back at her shoulders, observing if she has enough time to get to the other part of the intersection, to its left. But it was too late, the holos have catch up. So she butchered up her courage, took a single wood hard enough to be use for a beating and faced all three.
She held the wood with both her hands, forming a stance hoping to threaten the now raging holos.
The public, seeing all of this happening stood frozen. They do not want to get involved. Not their goods. Not their life. Not their products. And so they can only pity the girl amidst her chaos.
The guy beside their holos leader who had the least tattoo among the three of them striked first, running fast to send a fist to Xinatta's way. She had read about their fighting style and a few counter-attacks. Its easy to dodge this one. The fist landed to where she should have been and the holos raged even more after finding out he didn't hit her.
Xinatta though, is thankfully fast enough to strike his back with the wood she's been gripping. The holos ached and then held his back only to receive another strike. This time on his hand he used to support the aching numbness. He growled angrily, like a beast and swayed his hand around hoping to sweep away Xinatta's figure. She noticed it almost immediately and went out of his reach, after the swaying was gone, she grip the wood again and smash it onto the dizzy holos' head. He couldn't take it anymore and collapsed on the spot.
This made his holos companions angry, how can he not beat a girl with no experience? The leader was sure, base on her movements. She isn't trained or anything but she still managed. Barely.
The two holos left standing looked at each other, eye-to-eye. They charged forward, together.
Xinatta is devastated, she doesn't know what to do. She can't possibly win a 2v1 fight with guys almost double her size. She had so little chance earlier, and it was a 1v1!
Still not giving up, she held the wood tightly.
Another fist came up and she dodged it, going left. The arm used almost elbowed her face, so she blocked it with the wood. Both the arm and the wood were trembling. This time she wasn't so lucky as the other holos sent a fist to her stomach. She couldn't block it because her two arms were occupied trying to repel the elbowing arms.
She was sent staggering, almost flying and then her back clashed with the wall behind. She dropped her only weapon...
Xinatta thought about her death and how sudden it was. As she did this, blood came out of her mouth. Tearing its way out. She coughed, "Timing, really."
Their leader, the one who sent the successful fist groaned with visible hostility. "Little girl its the end."
He formed another fist, this time aiming for her face. She braced herself for the impact but not closing her eyes, not blinking. She was ready to perish.
Halfway through, a guy with white veil and flowing black robe intervened. He blocked the fist without the use of anything, only his hand. A feng. A spell-caster. His palm glowed red and it burned the holos' fist. His back looked graceful and dignified as his long black hair moved to the wind's direction.
"Hold on just a minute, alright?" He said to Xinatta as he finish the fight. The veil-man muttered or rather casted words she cannot comprehend.
Then a burning circle of fire surrounded the three holos.
"Who are you? This is none of your business!" Shouted the once collapsed holos, who gained consciousness because of the unbearable heat.
Xinatta also read about spell-casters. It is not learned but inborn. The ability comes from their true form which means he's either from the mermaid clan, immortal sect or dwarf clan.
"I do not have to answer you, holos. For you have fallen from grace. Fallen from the motto made by your ancestors." The guy answered with authority. He gives off this natural aura of being able to command.
The last thing she heard from the holos were the unfinished screech before they disappeared into nothingness.
Her saviour walked towards her and she asked, almost out of breathe. "What did you do to them?"
"I merely transported them to a place, a disgusting one where they belong."
She winced. "Are you going to torture them for eternity?"
The spell-caster laughed, "Yes, they're going to have a hard time in the sewers."
The sewers.. She thought he sent them to hell and pitied them a bit but fortunately for them, only to the sewers.
"Im no healer, though I know a place where you can rest. Would you like me to accompany you?" He asked Xinatta and she swore she saw a faint smile from under his veil. A gentle one. She almost agreed, and stopped to think about Zekerie. He'll be worried if he doesn't find her back there.
"I have a thing to finish with someone, thank you but I will have to decline your offer." She said politely and vague. The hint of coldness in her voice never left.
She tried to stand up and bow to show her gratitude but didn't manage, instead she held her wounded stomach and sat, catching her breathe again, like earlier.
"You're persistent" he smiled and commented while handing Xinatta white unused bandage. "It's alright if you won't come in there with me, just dress your wounds."
She didn't want to trouble the stranger, only had no choice so she nodded. "Thank you."
After applying medicine and dressing her stomach's wounds, Xinatta pulled herself up and search for anything valuable to give to her saviour. As expected, she found none.
"I have nothing on me right now, may I know where you stay so I know where to find you?"
He leapt to the walls, vanishing, "No need, but the next time we see each other, you owe me a favor." He shouted playfully with a hint of gentleness.
It made her smile, somehow. And she shouted back "Okay, I'll do that." not caring if the stranger heard her or not.
"Xinatta?"
She finally found Zekerie. It took her some time, the streets were busier than the first time they got here.
"Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you." He said to her as he grabbed her arm, carefully.
"Are you wounded? What's with the blood?" and she thought she could hide it from Zekerie. Not even the redness of the dress can disguise the blood in front of his Phoenix eyes. It can be a little troublesome sometimes.
"Wild Holos. I shouldn't have wandered off like that."
Zekerie sneered, "They have been like that since my father's installation. I should have told you not to intervene with them."
Her eyes grew wide. Partially because of anger, partially because of shock.
"You knew about them and didn't do anything about it?"
He looked down, a bit embarrassed. "I feared that I might offend the group. They're a lot, spread throughout Vibonia."
"You have your father's forces backing you up, use it for better good."
"V'bon barely even aid my requests. They have external war to deal with, it has been going on for years. That's why there's only a few of them in here, that's also the reason why the daily V'bon patrols are currently held to a stop, or perhaps gone." Zekerie explained as calmly as he could.
"I understand." With Xinatta's response, he went back to his original, bubbly self, "Im glad."
"Come, lets go home before it gets dark. You need to recuperate." He quickened his pace, holding her wrist while she followed behind.
The next morning, Rhun-Ur went to Zekerie's workroom earlier than what's stated in the schedule.
"I will now teach the both of you martial arts, as requested by young master." The new, Arym Rhun-Ur proclaimed.
Xinatta eyed Zekerie on her side, waiting for an explanation.
"Yesterday, I realized that it was a mistake not taking martial arts classes. If ever we encounter grave-danger, atleast we have our training with us. Its okay if you won't take the class, I'll learn it myself and ought to protect you first."
"No, protect yourself. You're the young master of Phoenix Clan. Besides, I can train alongside you, maybe I'll be the one to protect you instead." Xinatta replied.
He grinned and almost giggled because of excitement "is that a challenge?"
She smiled and therefore, the challenge is on.
Arym Rhun-Ur started with basic warrium. She showed them how to stretch and tend to their muscles. She also explained why precision, speed and form are important in learning martial arts. Its clear that she's a veteran with how good her illustrated moves are.
Another thing that Xinatta noticed is her hair, its fiery red color stands out
along with some white streaks. She wondered if its an effect of aging or just Arym's natural style. No matter what, Xinatta thinks its cool.
"First, put your right leg forward, strengthen your back and drop a little. This will allow you to size your opponent up better." Her strict tone of voice got her wondering mind back to the lesson she's teaching.
She followed the instructions she received then turned to Zekerie with an obvious goal of experimenting. Arym Rhun-Ur was right, the stance allowed her to progress into a better analysis of his weight and height.
"Got it you two? Now for our next.."
Xinatta and Zekerie spent their left 6 teenage years like that, training and learning martial arts. It harnessed their body muscles, knuckles, tendons and skills. As well as their intelligence and adaptation.
Arym
Arym Rhun-Ur sighed. "You two.. Are ready." Her aging wrinkled face smiled at Xinatta and Zekerie. "My last work, my last apprentices."
A few seconds of silence arose. Then interrupted by Zekerie. "Are you retiring?" asked the boy with a concerned face.
From the start she already guessed that he's easy to read and their years of experience proven her observation to be indeed true. Zekerie's face gave away what he thinks. He cannot lie even if he tried. A bad liar. Though she also liked his kindness.
"I am tired, I wish to rest. Away from this town. Away from Vibonia. By that, I mean that I won't teach children anymore. You two are my last piece."
With Arym's sudden resignation, none of the two dared to answer, Zekerie's face swollen.
"Alright now. Don't be sad. Go on with your lives, do great things and bring me glory. I want my own tale of saga told to your grandchildren, for centuries even." She chuckled a bit from her also dying humor.
The truth is, Arym cannot afford to do martial arts anymore. Her back aches every now and then. Sometimes she even has a hard time standing. Arym knew she's not going to last long. Better lie to the two than suddenly disappear, she thought.
Xinatta bowed her head with a fist on her chest. Formally saying "I will do as you say, Rhun-Ur." Followed by Zekerie also doing the same.
The girl never changed, muttered Arym silently to herself, not allowing anyone to hear. She's still dignified, cold and unreadable. She admired her, and her ability to hide her emotions.
"Off to home you go, then. That's all for today."
She turned to leave but remembered something, "and also, Zekerie if you like, fight for the throne. You have a potential, I believe in you."
The once young Zekerie smiled and brimmed at her while shouting "Sure do."
The last big smile she witnessed before leaving.
Xinatta
Three months after Arym Rhun-Ur left, Zekerie and a tall built guy she haven't met appeared outside her doorstep.
Maintaning her composure she asked, "What can this servant do for you two?"
Xinatta seemed calm on the surface but she's afraid of trouble inside. Why did they suddenly gave efforts to come here?
"Don't be afraid, this is Wichi - aden, he's also an apprentice of Arym Rhun-Ur." Zekerie's warm aura and explanation helped her tense body relax.
He called him aden, which means he is also her senior. She nodded as a response.
"You must be Xinatta - jie. I've heard quite a lot about you from young master - jie." Wichi - aden stated as he faced her.
"Yes, we've studied together under Arym Rhun-Ur's guidance." Her formal tone and flat, cold voice made her seem unfriendly.
The senior smiled from the mention of his mentor, almost reminiscent. But it quickly faded. "I've come here to ask your assistance." Then he handed her a tiny note.
Written in there are:
I have found someone to participate as the replacement for young madam Crystal. Find her brother, Zekerie and ask him to tell you Xinatta's location. DO NOT HAND HIM THIS LETTER.
She was confused. Its written in Arym Rhun-Ur's handwriting though.
Wichi - aden glanced at Zekerie. "Sorry young master - jie, but we will need time alone." Zekerie is curious but held it in. "Okay, I'll be waiting." Then he trailed off into the forest, the path to the main house.
The senior sang and she can feel a spell coming together. "A barrier spell, to prevent eavesdropping." He said while reassuring her with a smile.
"Spell-caster?" Xinatta asked briefly.
"Im a dwarf, I have served as a V'bon for about 2 years now."
She nodded and didn't waste anymore time. "What does the letter meant when it said replacement?"
"You've probably heard of the war going on outside right?"
She did. Zekerie mentioned it once.
"The war against immortal clan has been going on for years. And now, they've offered us a peace treaty. Well, a truce treaty. They negotiated marriage between our clans. Originally, young madam Crystal is the suitable participant but master Sebastian does not want to send his only daughter as their hostage."
Xinatta found this disappointing. Sebastian has never done any sacrifices. But she kept her calmness anyway. "And now they want to find a replacement to fill that."
Wichi - aden nodded. "Not only that, we have planned to steal their troop formation so we can counter it incase they break their promise. If we have that, we will be able to breach their defense more easily. You were chosen by my teacher, Arym Rhun-Ur, I, as a V'bon hope that you'll agree. For the sake of Vibonia."
Finally placing the puzzles together, she realized that she has been set up.
Arym Rhun-Ur only agreed to train her, a servant, together with the young master Zekerie because of this. Because they needed someone capable to replace Crystal, marry who knows who from the immortal clan, and steal whatever the troop formation is.
Xinatta couldn't deny the pain. Her heart ached for a bit. She treated Arym Rhun-Ur with respect but never would have knew or expected that her help came with motives. Unaware, her body trembled.
Then a pair of strong hands gripped her shoulders, giving her support before she falls onto the ground.
"Sorry, I know it's hard but I need an answer right here. Right now." Wichi - aden stated as he looked into her almost watery eyes.
Don't cry. Think. She convinced herself that it isn't worth the tears. "What's in it for me?" She asked, her voice hoarse.
"Three boons from the master. Anything."
"Anything? So if I ask him to step off the throne would he do it?"
The senior froze, only for seconds, processing the asked question.
"No, I don't think that'll count."
"Then your offer isn't worth it." She strictly noted as she walked away.
He was prepared. He did his research. If ever she doesn't agree, if ever this happens. "Your mother's slave contract and yours. It will be given to you, by then the two of you are going to have freedom. You can breach it. No need to remain a slave 'til death."
This time it was her time to freeze. She tried not to be tempted but gave up. The offer is far more important and valuable than Sebastian stepping off his throne. Her mother involve and she'd be willing to throw everything away. She walked back and faced him. "Offer accepted."
Back then, her mother never chose to be a slave. She was forced. Forced by the lack of money, by poverty. As a single mother, in order to feed her three kids, she endured the shame of being a slave. Worst thing is, the slavery contract stays forever until death. The money earned was enough to keep all of them alive but not worth it. It never was.
So this is her chance. If she succeeds then she'll take her family out of this place, go to the heart of the town and start a new life together away from the main house.
The senior nodded in satisfaction. "Be prepared, the marriage will occur after tomorrow."
Xinatta
"So what important things did the two of you talked about yesterday that he had to put up a spell?" Zekerie asked curiosly as he pouted at her.
Xinatta thought for a while and gave a vague response, "A kroksus."
Zekerie's eyes glowed even more with upheaval curiosity. "A kroksus? A mission outside the town? When is it? Can I come?"
For a moment, he looked like a child wishing for a candy. She held her laugh. "No, its a single-mortal job."
Zekerie snobbed playfully, "Okay then, when are you coming back?"
She would answer if she knew but this time, she didn't. It might take her a week, a month, a year or even a decade. Stealing other's stuff is already something. Stealing a clan's valuable possession is on a whole different level.
"I do not know." Xinatta said, her expression not changing.