Chapter 5 Wanted

Ashe stirred awake as the morning sunlight filtered softly through the bedroom window. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, before glancing over at Sydney, still fast asleep, her expression peaceful in the early hours. Carefully, Ashe slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb her.

She padded quietly into the kitchen, where she found Miranda already seated at the table, eating a simple breakfast of bread and butter. The older woman looked tired, her movements slow and deliberate as though the weight of the previous day still clung to her.

“Good morning, ma’am,” Ashe greeted softly, offering a slight nod.

“Good morning,” Miranda replied, blinking away the remnants of sleep. “And you can just call me Miranda.” She gestured toward a chair. “Did you sleep alright?”

Ashe took the seat across from her, nodding. “I slept as well as I could, given the circumstances. Thank you for letting us stay the night,” she added, bowing her head slightly in gratitude.

“It’s no trouble,” Miranda said, though there was a heaviness to her words. Her gaze flickered toward the hallway, the same unspoken question hanging between them. “How’s Sydney doing?”

“She’s still asleep,” Ashe replied, glancing back toward the room. “Honestly, she’s holding up better than I expected.” There was a quiet strength in Sydney, even amidst all her grief.

“That’s good,” Miranda sighed, though her voice was strained. After a pause, she added, “About Thomas... Is he really gone?” Her tone was uncertain, almost as if she hoped it was a bad dream.

Ashe met her gaze, her heart sinking a little. “Yeah,” she said gently. “What Sydney told you is true.” She hesitated, then asked, “Was he a friend of yours?”

Miranda didn’t respond immediately. She stared down at her half-eaten slice of toast, her hands resting motionless on the table. After a long moment, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

“He was.”

The weight of her words settled between them like a stone, and Ashe didn’t press further. Some grief was too personal, too raw to share openly. They sat in silence, the only sound the soft ticking of a nearby clock, until the quiet was broken by the sound of footsteps. Sydney emerged, her face still marked by sleep, and joined them at the table.

“Morning,” Sydney mumbled as she sat down next to Ashe, her voice still groggy from sleep.

“Good morning, Sydney,” Miranda greeted her, her voice soft. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah, I slept alright,” Sydney replied, though the weariness in her eyes said otherwise. She glanced over at Miranda. “Are you still going to the police today?”

“That’s the plan,” Miranda said, her tone firm. “Might as well see what’s going on.”

“Thank you,” Sydney sighed deeply, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little.

Ashe, however, couldn’t shake her unease. “Can these ‘police’ be trusted?” she asked, her skepticism clear. In her world, she had seen too many times how the so-called protectors of the law were swayed by coin or influence, criminals slipping through their fingers with nothing more than a bribe.

“Of course,” both Miranda and Sydney said at the same time, as if the idea of corrupt law enforcement was unthinkable.

Ashe frowned but didn’t press the issue. “Okay... if you say so,” she muttered, not quite convinced. The idea of trusting someone else to handle the situation felt foreign, especially when it came to forces she didn’t understand. But for now, she had to rely on Sydney’s judgment, even if her instincts screamed otherwise.

Miranda and Sydney finished their breakfasts in relative silence, while Ashe sat quietly, her mind too preoccupied to even think about food. The weight of the morning pressed down on her, and she found herself lost in thought until Miranda excused herself, leaving Ashe and Sydney alone in the kitchen.

Sydney stood up and wandered over to the TV in the living room. With a flick of her hand, she turned it on, the screen flickering to life.

“What are you doing?” Ashe asked, her brow furrowing as she eyed the strange device warily. She still hadn’t fully grasped the idea of the “TV.”

“I’m turning on the news,” Sydney explained, settling into the couch. “I want to see if anything’s been reported on... you know, what happened.”

Ashe hesitated, then joined her on the couch, her eyes fixed on the screen as a woman inside it spoke about interest rates and mortgages—words that meant nothing to her. The images and sounds felt foreign, like a form of magic she couldn't comprehend. Still, she watched with growing curiosity as the woman on the screen shifted topics.

“A series of inexplicable light phenomena has captured the attention of millions worldwide, with reports of odd lights popping up and disappearing across various continents. To date, 20 sightings have been documented in several countries including Brazil, Egypt, the United States, and Canada, sparking both public curiosity and official concern.

The mysterious lights have been described by witnesses as bright, colorful orbs that materialize in the sky for mere seconds before vanishing without a trace. These occurrences have been reported in urban and rural areas alike, often during nighttime hours, leading to widespread speculation about their origins—from natural atmospheric events to possible extraterrestrial activity.

In response to the growing number of sightings, authorities in the affected nations have launched comprehensive investigations to determine the cause of these phenomena. Security forces have proactively closed off the specific areas where the lights were reported, restricting public access to facilitate thorough examinations and ensure safety.

In Brazil, local police in Rio de Janeiro have cordoned off several neighborhoods following multiple light sightings, collaborating with meteorological experts to explore potential natural explanations. Meanwhile, in Egypt, officials near Cairo have deployed surveillance teams to monitor the skies and gather data from recent events.

The United States has seen reports from major cities such as New York and Los Angeles, where emergency services have issued advisories urging residents to remain calm and avoid the restricted zones. Canadian authorities, particularly in Vancouver and Whitehorse, are similarly engaged in detailed assessments, working alongside national space agencies to analyze any possible technological or extraterrestrial origins.

Public reaction has been a mix of fascination and apprehension. Social media platforms are abuzz with eyewitness accounts and speculative theories, while community leaders emphasize the importance of following official guidance and avoiding the restricted areas until investigations are concluded. For more on this story Natalie Pike is standing by at the sight of a recent sighting in the Yukon Territory”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The screen flashed and the woman who had just been telling the story was replaced by another woman who was standing outside in front of a police blockade.

"Thank you, Tracy. As you can see behind me, a police blockade has been set up on the Dempster Highway just outside of Tombstone Park..." The scene on the screen shifted, and a new reporter stood outside in front of a line of police vehicles, the distant mountains and trees shrouded in mist behind her.

Sydney’s eyes widened, and she immediately turned to Ashe, her expression mirroring the sudden realization settling in. Ashe didn’t need to ask; she knew. The lights—they were somehow connected to her. Before she could voice the thought, the screen flashed again, drawing both their attention.

“One anonymous poster on social media claims they found a sword at the site of one of the lights, sparking debate online about the light's origins. Authorities have debunked the poster's claims, stating it was just a post by an online troll,” the reporter said, her tone dismissive.

Ashe’s heart stopped. Her gaze locked onto the image on the screen—a sword, unmistakably familiar. The gleaming steel blade was engraved with gold runes that flowed down its length, the cross guard shaped like outstretched wings, elegant and regal. The grip, wrapped in deep blue leather, and the hilt... it bore the crest of Himlasia.

Ashe starred in silent shock, her thoughts scattering. That sword—it was hers. Her blade, forged in her homeland, now displayed on a screen in this strange world. It was impossible, and yet... there it was. Her pulse quickened, and her breath caught in her throat.

“Ashe, are you okay?” Sydney’s voice broke through the haze, her concern clear.

“That’s... my sword,” Ashe murmured, barely above a whisper, her mind still reeling.

“Your sword?” Sydney echoed, confused.

“Dawnguard... We need to get that sword,” Ashe suddenly shouted, her heart racing as panic gripped her.

“What?” Sydney started to say, but she was interrupted by a chime coming from her pocket. Quickly, she pulled out her phone and answered, still startled by Ashe’s urgency.

“Hello? Oh, Miranda, I didn’t even notice you leave...” Sydney’s voice trailed off, her expression shifting. “Sure, I’ll put it on speaker.” She tapped the screen and placed the phone on the table. A moment later, a voice crackled through the device, startling Ashe. Miranda’s voice came through, filled with urgency and panic.

“You two need to get out of town as soon as possible. The police are on their way.”

“What? Why?” Sydney asked, standing up abruptly as a wave of worry washed over her.

“I talked to the police about Thomas,” Miranda’s voice continued, shaky. “They told me he had been murdered... but then they asked where you were. I told them you were staying with me. That’s when they said you were a suspect, Sydney. They’re on their way, along with some strange men in all black suits”

Ashe’s heart sank at the mention of the men in black. The situation was unraveling faster than she’d anticipated. The police, the mysterious suits—they were closing in. There was no time to waste.

"We need to leave. Now," Ashe muttered, her resolve hardening. There was no question about it anymore. They were being hunted.

Ashe darted into the bedroom, her heart pounding as she hurriedly changed back into her armor. The familiar weight of the metal grounded her, reminding her of the world she had come from—a world where she had fought and survived. There was no time for hesitation now.

Sydney followed her in, hands trembling as she shoved random clothes into a backpack, her movements frantic. Ashe, seeing the urgency in her eyes, rushed back into the kitchen. She grabbed two large kitchen knives and a few pieces of fruit from a bowl on the counter, swiftly shoving them into Sydney’s bag before taking it from her hands. Sydney didn’t protest, too shaken to question the decision.

The wail of sirens grew louder, piercing the quiet of the house. They were coming. Fast. Ashe made her way to the backdoor, cracking it open just enough to peer outside. The yard was empty. No sign of anyone yet. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, before reaching back and grabbing Sydney’s hand.

“Come on,” Ashe whispered, pulling her along as they slipped out the door.

They moved quickly, the sirens echoing in the distance, growing closer with each passing second. There was no turning back now—only running, only surviving.

The pair sprinted down the narrow back alley, their breaths quick and shallow. Ashe’s mind raced—she wasn’t sure where they were headed, only that they had to get away from Miranda’s house as fast as possible. Every second felt like it stretched too long, the threat of the sirens pressing down on them. Suddenly, Sydney skidded to a stop, tugging on Ashe’s arm. Ashe followed her gaze to a young man climbing into his truck. A flicker of understanding passed between them.

They rushed over to the man.

Excuse me, can you drive us out of town?” Sydney asked, desperation clear in her voice.

The young man turned, visibly annoyed. “No, why would I do that?” he replied, his tone dismissive.

“Please, we really—” Sydney began, but Ashe cut her off. There wasn’t time for this.

“We don’t have time for this,” Ashe muttered, her voice firm. Without warning, she threw a punch, connecting with the man’s face. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he hit the pavement.

Sydney let out a sharp squeal of shock, her hand flying to her mouth. “Ashe! Why did you do that?”

Ashe remained calm, kneeling to pluck the truck keys from the man’s limp hands. She passed them to Sydney without hesitation. “Can you drive this thing?”

“Yes,” Sydney stammered, her heart racing, “but why—?”

“We don’t have time,” Ashe repeated, her eyes darting to the street as the sirens grew louder, closing in. She glanced back at Sydney, urging her to move.

Sydney gulped, still rattled, but nodded. She jumped into the driver’s seat, her hands shaking as she turned the key in the ignition. The truck roared to life, and without a moment’s delay, she drove off, speeding down the road. Sydney’s hands were still trembling as she gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white as she sped down the road. The engine growled beneath them, a stark contrast to the tension that filled the air. They raced forward, but then two cop cars, lights flashing red and blue, zipped across the road in front of them. Ashe’s heart nearly stopped—her breath catching in her throat—but the police cars didn’t stop. They continued on, unaware of the truck that had just avoided their path.

Both Ashe and Sydney exhaled at the same time, a collective sigh of relief, the tension momentarily easing as Sydney steered them south, away from the town.

“Ashe... we just stole a truck,” Sydney muttered, her voice shaky, the reality of what they’d done settling in.

“We had to. If we waited any longer, we would’ve been caught.” Ashe tried to keep her voice steady, though the guilt gnawed at her. She wasn’t used to these kinds of actions, but desperate times demanded desperate measures. Even so, it didn’t sit right with her. “Where are you heading, anyway?”

“South. To Whitehorse,” Sydney replied, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. “It’s literally our only option. After that... I have no idea.”

Ashe nodded, the uncertainty hanging over them like a heavy cloud. She didn’t know what their next move should be either, but one thing was clear in her mind: she needed to find Dawnguard. That sword was more than just a weapon—it was a part of her, and if she had any chance of fighting the men in black suits, any hope of protecting Sydney, she needed it back.