Nobody had seen her move. One moment was all it took to take down an incomplete other worlder. The entire square was silent as the wind died down. The sound of fire crackling and Abil praying was all that was left. The guards had already set out to look for survivors and were gathering the corpse of the fallen. Zin still stood in shock as his master locked gaze with him briefly.

Ephini opened her eyes, as she struggled to sit up. Memories of the Neather creatures gathering was all she had seen. Valmor was still shaken from all the experience he had witnessed in a short amount of time. A mixture of emotions surged as he saw his daughter sit up close to a tree, but his joy was short lived as he looked at his feet seeing Seil and Zenora lying lifeless.

A piercing screech rang out; filling the square with trembling sadness as drops turned into a shower. Rain clouds began to pour down as the inconsolable Ephini cried. She was in shock and had tried to stay safe knowing that her disciple and husband were safe. Now, that hope was like a fading memory of ash spread into the wind, the still bodies barely recognizable.

Mizin stared at her, knowing that this misfortune was the price she had to pay. A string of pain rung in her heart just from seeing Ephini cry under the cold rain. Less than half of the entire population of Elnor was remainng in the square. The evidence of a catastrophe that had swept through the land.

Abil rose as wiping the tears from her face, her eyes were a bit swollen make Mizin to chuckle at sight of it.

“You look terrible”.

Abil ignored her comment as her gaze landed on Gilly. Zin now sat beside his sister who threw herself into his arms, clenching his fists as pain filled his heart.

“So what will you do now? The Imperial Shadows were around, numbering in the hundreds but they did not intervene. I think it was that nasty girl’s idea”.

Valmor who sat close to them was shocked to hear that from Abil as this means the Imperials had a hand in this incident.

Mizin waved her hand to Abil, as they were many ears there and the matter was best discussed in private. She strolled casually to the center of the square with the rain now dying down. Her battle clothing and swords faded away revealing an elegant Kitsune in white and red Kimono. She threw a glance around, all the disheartened faces looked up to her as her voice reverberated in their hearts making them find new hope.

“People of Elnor, the Imperial has chosen to abandoned us in our time of need. They first brought policies that made out blood boil and choose to take away our precious resources out of greed. They regarded us as outcast even though our ancestors came from this land. Trying to deny us of our very own happiness and freedom. Countless lives have been lost because of their greed and hatred. We only have one way forward. We must create our own independent country”.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

The crowd could not believe what she had just said. Some were in awe and others were skeptical about the declaration. But in all, they trusted she had the power to make it happen. The atmosphere became light as chattering could be heard among the survivals. She continued.

“I will reside here with you and make sure no one weather god or beast or demons will trouble you and this is my word”.

On finishing this statement, she pieced her hand with her nail and a drop of blood fell to the ground. A ripple effect caused the entire landscape to light up and the large tree at the center of their village began to glow leaving a golden hue that could be seen for several miles.

This was a blood oath, the most sacred of oaths which bounds one’s life to a particular statement. The aura of everybody that was tied to the village began to radiate signaling them as witnesses to it. Ephini had calmed down and fallen asleep in Zin’s arms, the night cycle was long and they had to wait another five days to see the light of the sun.

…

Festa, who was the brother of the king of Asram had arrived few days ago. He bought supplies from their capital on order of the king. Mizin and Richard had both fought in the Draconic War from yore ago so they were close. He came together with Hilary and Roger who was nowhere to be seen. Ephini and Gilly had locked themselves up still crying from their loss.

When Ephini finally showed up a day to the burial, her eyes had dark circles, a shadow of her former self as she looked pale and life less. They discussed about the current situation concerning the village. Valmor had decided to give up his title as chief so another selection process would take place after the funeral. Ai-lyn had returned to Elnor, since she was skilled in Earth magic, she would be useful in reconstruction of the town.

At the first day of the night cycle, a funeral was held for all who died that night. Rows of wooden beds could be seen and bodies laid on each of them, Valmor held a torch in hand and was the one to send them off to the afterlife. He approached Ephini, who looked at her father when he had come to the wooden frame where Zenora and he husband laid. He passed the torch to he and she placed it close to the flames setting them on fire.

They all watched as the flames rose up, burning the corpses in the wooden frames. An announcement had been made earlier that day that a new town chief would be selected since Valmor had lost an arm. They all made their way to the World Tree sapling at the center of the village when they noticed a group of solders dressed in imperial armour approaching the crowd.

Nobody smiled at them, they had been abandoned by the imperials that night and almost everyone had lost a loved one.

“I guess the fox bitch is all talk,” one soldier replied.

“shh, she can he-” . His voice stopped when he noticed his comrade had been sliced in two, his body falling with a loud thud due to the weight of his armour.

Nobody in the crowd show any hit of emotion as one of the imperial guards was killed. Instead they just glared at the remaining guards. The noise made a green elf hurry down from the Carriage the guards were protecting. His face went pale seeing the guard in a pool of blood. Gilly who had stood in a quiet street corner for the event tuned back to her room. Mizin, Ai-lyn, Valmor, Festa and Hilary all walked forward to the Carriage with Ephini and Zin following them behind.