“Here, take my hand.” Kefo offered. He carefully handled the package their Instructor had given with the other hand.

Tiff shook her head. “I am fine. I just-.” She sighed and pushed herself up from the gravel. Her eyes drifted back to the burning city they were leaving behind. The sight was terrible and mesmerising.

It was hard to tear her eyes away from the unfolding catastrophe. Sounds of explosions and distant loud voices rolling over the city reached them even here.

They were currently making their way to the north using the main road. It was empty now, but Tiff knew that they had to hurry. Soon, the path will flood with refugees seeking to escape the hell behind.

Their teacher had given them a simple task before heading out to help his newest charges. Tiff chewed on her lip. She didn’t like it. There was too much they both didn’t understand.

“Come on. We have to go.” Kefo still held his hand out, waiting, hoping Tiff would take it.

But she didn’t. Tiff started to march, with Kefo hurrying to join her. The night sky stretched towards the horizon, endless and foreboding. She spent a moment thinking about the past few months.

They had been some of the best Tiff ever had. Even before Silinth had taken them in, her life had been hard. Her parents had always lived in fear and were constantly on the move. She did not understand why, being too young, until the Inquisitors arrived and took everything from Tiff.

Silinth had rescued her. He brought her to his place and introduced her to Kefo. He had given her the chance to find a new home if she wished.

But Tiff had chosen to stay. She had seen the power Silinth wielded. She wanted it too, as did Kefo, but…

The life was cruel. Tiff and Kefo had no talent. No matter how hard they worked, it amounted to little.

Tiff had made her peace with the idea of never getting her revenge. In the end, her parents were rough. They had not treated her well. It was the current life that she held as precious.

But Kefo was different. He loved his parents. Tiff had heard many tales of them. She knew Kefo’s father was often drunk but never angry and always taught his son the best jokes. His mother had always told him stories and legends before Kefo fell asleep. And many, many more…

Tiff didn’t have that. So, her drive for revenge had slowly tapered out. It was still there. She hated the gods and Temples. She was happy to see them burn, but it was because Kefo and Silinth carried the burning need to destroy their enemies.

“Do you think they will succeed?” Kefo tried to start a conversation again. He glanced back while changing the way he held the parcel Silinth had given them. It was a small, innocuous thing, but the way he held it appeared to grow in weight.

“Yes,” Tiff whispered. They had to. Silinth had promised to come find them at the place his Elders sat.

Tiff didn’t know much about the place. Silinth refused to talk about the last little settlement they could call their own. There seemed to be some bitter feeling between him and the people he called Elders.

But, Silinth had told them it was the seat of power for the Keepers of the Truth.

What was the source of their disagreement? Silinth refused to tell. Or had before today. He hadn’t explained to them what it was, just that it was time for them to learn.

Tiff’s eyes drifted to the package. She wondered what was inside the fabric wrapped around the square object. There was something magnetic about it. She knew Kefo felt it, too, from how he kept glancing down at it.

Silinth had told them that they were answers.

So, a book? But it was too heavy for that. Perhaps an artefact of sorts? Tiff wanted to know. The idea gnawed at her thoughts. And Silinth had not forbidden them to do so.

In fact, Silinth had told them to open it, just not now. They had to be closer to her hidden town. He had told them they would know what to do once they saw what was inside.

“So, uh-” Kefo pressed the package against his chest. “Are you cold? You can have my cloak if you are.” He offered.

Tiff tore her eyes away from Kefo’s hands. She didn’t want to trip again. “I am fine.”

“Okay, but-” Kefo sounded apologetic. “We will have to run, so…” He looked back and frowned.

“I am fine.” Tiff lied. She wasn’t. Something was not right. She just didn’t know what it was. Her eyes drifted back to see what Kefo was looking at. “Anything there?” She couldn’t find anything. The burning city dominated the horizon.

“No, I just-” Kefo hesitated. “I wanted to be there as well.” He admitted. There was bitterness in his voice. “But apparently, I am too weak.” And envy.

Tiff didn’t comment. She didn’t want the repeat of the several times Kefo had broken down in a fit of anger and misplaced feelings.

It was tiresome to deal with Kefo’s insecurities. He compared himself with Andrew and Isabel and came up short. When they had just arrived, they both had been so far ahead in abilities compared to them, but as time went on…

At least Kefo didn’t try to compare himself with Mila.

Tiff shuddered. Ever since that girl had woken up that day and looked at Tiff, she had been terrified of her. There was something unnatural about how Mila had viewed her. Those eyes didn’t see Tiff as human.

The situation had improved over time. But when Tiff had begged the monster for help to free Kefo…

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Those were not good memories. Tiff shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Let’s start running.” Her thoughts drifted towards the package again. “I can’t wait to be over with this.”

And once they arrived at their goal, they would wait for Silinth to come. Tiff looked at Kefo’s hands. He was gripping the package tightly.

They would soon see what’s inside. Tiff could not wait.

*****

Oscar looked at his hands. At his empty, weak hands. He had lost her. The only thing that brought him happiness here in this alien world.

There was shouting outside of the room he was in. He was placed here to recover after losing his consciousness. Oscar could not find it in himself to care. Munny was… The thought refused to form. He had held her when it happened, but maybe… Just maybe…

Finally, the doors slammed open. Oscar didn’t look up. He was transfixed by his own failings. Everyone had told him he was special. He had received the best.

The best training, the best teachers, the best food, the best equipment - everything. Oscar had not even been bound to do anything. The Temple and King Oispio had treated him well and with respect.

They had not asked for anything in return. All Osacar had to do was to listen and learn about the Kingdom and the people who lived there.

And he had. Oscar had. Grandpa Drun had taken him on a trip to show him the best places the Kingdom had to offer. He had seen waterfalls, impressive monuments, glorious Temples, and so much more.

But all Oscar could remember now was Munny.

“Where is Munny?” He whispered, not expecting an answer.

“She died. Her hand was punctured, and she was poisoned.”

Oscar’s head snapped up to face the liar, but when his eyes landed on Astra, he could not help but notice. “You arm…”

Astra let out a bitter laugh. “Gone.” She waved the remaining stub, the empty sleeve of the robe flapping in the air. “As is Munny.” She didn’t mince her words.

Oscar’s mind halted, then replayed Astra’s words. He already knew, but now… Now, he couldn’t deny it any longer. Tears started to roll down his cheeks. They had not spent much time together.

Just a few weeks. But Oscar loved her. Her shy smile, clear laughter, silky hair and how she knew all the small rumours that could make him laugh.

“No…” Oscar cleared his ears. “Why?” His mind slowly accepted the truth. And it hurt.

The moment it happened grew clearer in Oscar’s mind. It was so vivid. All of the details were preserved in his memories.

The moment Munny died…

And those two who were responsible. Oscar gritted his teeth. A sudden spike of anger burned his feelings. He wanted revenge. He wanted that girl and woman to feel pain.

“Oscar?” Astra’s voice seemed so distant.

It had to be done. Those two better lived through the night because Oscar wanted them to suffer. He swore an oath. Oscar would find those two. He would find a way to inflict pain and make them feel what he did now.

“Oscar!” Astra’s voice grew alarmed.

It would be slow. Oscar’s fingers dug into his palms, drawing blood. It had to be slow. They could not be allowed to die in peace.

“OSCAR!” Astra’s hand landed on his shoulder.

He blinked. Oscar looked up to one of his teachers. There was astonishment and wonder in her eyes. He didn’t like it. “How long I was out?”

“A few hours.” Astra studied him with newfound interest.

“Did…” Oscar hesitated, but only for a moment. “Did those murderers get away?”

Astra refocused on Oscar’s words. She grimaced while recalling the events that had transpired the last night. “We killed most. Some were captured. They will be executed in front of the masses. People want blood, and we will offer it to them.”

“Not them.” Oscar felt his anger spike again. “You saw them, right? Those two whores who killed Munny, you saw them?” He wanted to grow angrier. To lose himself in the feelings and chase after his targets.

“Oscar, you-” Astra sighed. “I did.” She finally said. “Just for a moment.”

“Did you catch them?” Oscar hoped. “Did they die?” He wished it had been painful.

“No.” Astra shook her head. “They likely got away. We are still going through the… A lot of people died. I can’t be sure, but they probably did manage to escape.”

“Good,” Oscar growled. It meant he could get his revenge. Of course, Oscar would have to chase them down first, but Granpa Drun was smart. He would know a way.

“You look like you are about to do something stupid.”

“I want justice.” Oscar snapped back. His blood was boiling. Finally, he felt like moving. The energy seemed to overflow from his body.

“It is going to be hard.” Astra cautioned. “Those two were trained professionals. I doubt they left any traces.”

“Then we better start moving now.” Oscar threw the blanket, covering him away.

“You can’t.” Astra stopped him.

Oscar could not believe her words. “What?” He felt malicious thoughts seep into his brain. Was she trying to get in the way?

“We need to see if…” Astra studied him. “- If you were affected.”

“Bullshit! If you don’t want me to go, then just say so!”

“It is important.” Astra still held him down. “Luckily, you lost your consciousness before the-” She swallowed and shuddered. “Before something horrible happened. But we still have to make sure.”

“Let me see Granpa!” Oscar demanded. “He will understand.”

Astra winced. “That is impossible.”

“Why?” Oscar felt sick. Why couldn’t he just go?

“The Sleeper, he… died.”

“What? T-That can’t be. Grandpa was so powerful. Why didn’t you help him?” Oscar found more footing beneath him wanish.

“Oscar, please.” Astra sounded tired. Her beautiful face seemed to age. “You don’t understand.” She shook her head. “But if you are willing-”

“Yes!” Oscar just wanted to get out of this place.

“Good.” Astra nodded. “We will begin training right after checking if you were not afflicted.”

“Not training.” Oscar hissed. He didn’t need more of that. No, maybe he did, but he needed to move forward.

“Oscar, you need to train.” Astra’s eyes grew luminous. “Because you have awakened something in you. And if you mastered it, the world could become yours.”

Oscar didn’t get it. But for the first time in a while, he looked around.

The surrounding room was warped. Strange scars were crisscrossing the walls, floor and ceiling. Some of the furniture was bent strangely and destroyed entirely.

“What-” He didn’t understand. “-happened.”

“It is the proof of the power you can wield now.”

Oscar examined a deep hole that was punched through the floor. He hoped Astra was right. Because… He looked at the destruction again. Because whatever had happened here looked painful, and he wished to inflict it on two targets he had set his mind on.