Chapter one: Xabiere!!!
last update2021-09-08 12:32:23

"Xabiere. Hey Xabiere. Xabiere!" I gasped at a sudden thundering voice that roared into my eardrums. I jumped as my spirit bounced upward, but someone grabbed my arm. It was Mondrea, my delirious, happy-go-lucky, totally exhausting, and annoying sister.

 

I wiped my eyelids to get rid of the irritating room. A flash of light shined in front of me. I covered my face with my hand as Mondrea slid the curtains open. "Rise and shine, Xabe!" she said sarcastically.

 

"Ugh. Mondrea, what time is it?" I asked while I still wipe my eyes.

 

"See for yourself, brother." she pointed at the clock above the wall behind me. Time addressed to me that it was seven o'clock in the morning. 

 

I peered to her so the light wouldn't straightly blind me."What the . . . why are you so early?"

 

"Sam's outside again. He needs you," she replied. And that got me thinking.

 

"Oh . . . wait, why?" I asked.

 

"Just come downstairs. Darn it, why can't just Rosie call you instead?" she muttered by the time she left. As I got up, I cracked my bones and stretched my limbs to release the tension. Ahhh, that feels so good. I even shook and slapped my face just for me to wake up more. I walked towards the stairs like a drunken man. I stumbled and rolled over and over again until I reached the ground floor. I felt how sore my body is. "Ow . . ." I muttered. Yup, that's me.

 

"Xabiere, Is that you?" Henrich shouted from the kitchen.

 

"Yeah," I grunted in response, rubbing my neck in hopes that the pain would vanish.

 

"Good, Sam needs you!" she yelled again.

 

"I know," I groaned. In front of the brown door with a misty window, I could see a silhouette of a person. He has just the right amount of fat, height, and curls on his hair. As I opened the door, I could see the houses of my home, Snowfall village. The roofs were blanketed with pure white snow including the leaves of the trees nearby. I have yet to see my home neither this snowy nor cold. I could see my neighbors wearing coats and jackets to get themselves comfortable from this winter atmosphere while laughing at their conversation.

 

Until my eyes fixed on a person standing right in front of me. "Uh . . . is this the Berrygrewd residence?" asked the guy, who was wearing a white uniform, in a low, lazy-toned voice as if he was awake for too long.

 

"Yes, why?" I asked.

 

"Uuuh . . . I came here to . . . uuuh . . . give you this package." He opened his bag and brought out a rectangular object wrapped with paper.

 

"What is that?"

 

"I don't know . . . you're the one who ordered this," he said slowly.

 

"Me?" Suddenly, Rosie rushed towards the man from behind my back. 

 

"Oh, goody, goody, goody! That's mine, thank you!" she went back to the place where she came, which I really don't know. turned back to see his tiring gaze again.

 

"So, who are you?" I asked the guy.

 

"Oh . . . uuuuh . . . I'm juuuust . . . a guuuuy, that sends messages to the villages . . . ." he replied.

 

"Are you . . . new here?"

 

"Uuuh . . . nooo . . . okay . . . for now, yes." The mailman and I got stuck in an awkward moment that I probably won't forget.

 

"Um . . . okay. Uh . . . how many letters have you sent these days?" I asked him nervously. I really need to get out of this awkward situation, it really sucks.

 

"Uh ... maybe thousands?" the guy shrugged before picking his nose.

 

"Oh my . . . eww . . . I . . . oh my . . . uh . . . what's your name?" I regret asking him that, but hey, that's me every time I have nothing in mind when it comes to talking to someone I just met, seriously.

 

"Uuuh . . . Mailman."

 

"No, no, no, your real name."

 

"Uh . . . Mailman." He picked his nose one more time while taking the awkward staring contest to the next level.

 

"Okay, Mailman . . . thank you for . . . um . . . this. Bye." I waved my hand up and down rapidly just for him to understand. Unless he didn't.

 

"Uuuh . . . okay, you're welcome." He turned and went to the other houses just to give them their letters. As he did, Sam, my best friend, stood in front of me- arms at his sideways and giving me the look. "Is he a friend of yours?" Sam tossed his head to the mailman.

 

"Oh . . . uh . . . I . . . I just . . . um . . . never mind. What brings you here, anyway?"

 

Sam chuckled, "Sorry for waking you up, well . . . judging by your shaggy hair. I was hoping if you can come with me to the book fair today. There are new wonderful books to read just for you too." He gave me a creepy grin. I was thinking about coming with him to buy new books, I was so bored anyway. And yes, folks, I can be a bookworm in a way.

 

"Of course. I'd love to, Sam," I smiled.

 

"Great! See you at twelve!" Before he ran, we did our best friend shake by pounding our fists up and down before forming an X-shape when our opposite forearm collided. That was the shortest conversation we ever had. He waved his hands while running backward. "Sam, watch out!" Too late, Sam turned and bumped into a postman. His opened back barfed with newspapers. I winced as I witness the two of them fell off. 

 

"Hey, watch where you going!" The postman shook his head before picking up the newspapers that Sam had tripped over.

 

"Sorry, sir. My best friend apologized to the man before focusing back on me. "Remember, Xabe, twelve o'clock!" I raised my thumb as a response.

 

"He really likes books." I was startled as Mondrea somehow quietly stood beside me.

 

"Uh-huh, that's Sam the reader, all right." I nodded in agreement.

 

"That's the shortest conversation I have ever seen in my entire life." Mondrea looked at the horizon as if she was amazed by a picture.

 

"Mondrea, would you please stop stalking us." I glared.

 

She slowly back away. "I'm just saying."

 

***

 

"By the way, Hen, have you seen mom? I didn't see her when I looked at her room," I asked. Today, we were having bread and cereal with milk for breakfast. Also with our favorite, hot vanilla cocoa.

 

"Nurse Joy sent her to the clinic just to check her condition. Mother is not feeling well these days," Henrich responded.

 

"Yeah, after what happened that time." Mondrea began to shiver from the bad memory.

 

"Don't worry, guys. Remember the last time when we worried too much about mom?" asked Rosie.

 

Oh memories, I remembered that. It was about two years ago. We were in the middle of dinner time when mom coughed a bit. Later, she coughed really hard while holding her neck. "Oh my goodness, bring our mother to the hospital!" Mondrea shouted, panicking.

 

"Mondrea, we don't have a hospital!" Rosie reminded her twin.

 

"Quickly, to the clinic! Xabiere, you carry her, fast!" ordered Henrich with her death stare. It scares me when she does that. It was like staring at a vampire.

 

"Got it," I muttered, shocked by their reactions.

 

We carried mom to her wheelchair (Which we kept for a long time just in case mom's condition gets worse). We were pushing people away as we rushed outside our house. Mondrea yelled to the crowd, "Out of the way, coughing lady on a wheelchair coming through!" We even slid down on a hill just to get to the shortcut.

 

"Children wait," she coughed, but her voice was too weak, so we didn't pay attention to her (Except for me, obviously), we were very attentive to her safety. Villagers nearby almost got crushed because of us. We slid really fast we don't know how to stop it. My feet kept running as the wheels are rotating, separating me and my mother from my siblings. "Xabiere, the clinic's in front of you, slow down!" Henrich said from far away.

 

"I can't! After all, you're the one who told us to hurry in the first place!" I panicked and screamed. Somehow I heard Rosie said, "He's got a point, though."

 

The two doors opened, I saw Nurse Joy placing her hand on an old witch's back.

 

"Are you sure this will get my husband back?" asked the old witch, scanning the flask with blue liquid.

 

"Yes, absolutely. Just strike him in the head as many times as you want by using your broomstick to knock him out, then open his mouth before pouring the potion." Added information about the nurse was that she also does witchcraft. So that's wicked.

 

"Oh thank you, Nurse Joy. You're truly are a witch, just like your mother." The old witch bowed her head as she offered the nurse a warm smile.

 

"Thank you, ma'am, I always have my mother's dark side." Trust me, you don't want to know her dark side. Even if you convince me. I won't give you any info.

 

"Uh-oh . . . ." I struggled to stop my legs. Though I tried hopping for me to use my heels as brakes. As I did, mom flew so far, she slammed her face on the door. "By the potions! Mrs. Berrygrewd, are you okay?" Nurse Joy knelt beside her. My sisters came and grimaced as they saw our mother's face was hurt.

 

Mondrea said, "She's even worse than before. First, she's coughing hard, and now she face-planted on a door." Faceplant is where your face clashed with something.

 

Mother spat something out from her mouth. It was a small bone.

 

"Oh, now I get it." Rosie nodded.

 

"I don't." Mondrea shook her head. Mom was panting until she recovered.

 

"Why did you even bring your mother here?" Nurse Joy glanced at us. She was not looking very happy.

 

"We thought she was choking," Rosie said.

 

"Mom, I am so sorry," I pleaded and knelt near her. It was embarrassing. After her face collided with the door, how angry would she be? If she's very angry, I must be ready to defend myself or run away as possible.

 

"You could just do the Heimlich maneuver," Mom coughed. Heimlich maneuver is a technique where you wrap your arms around a patient's belly then you compress his or her stomach to push the air out of the patient's mouth. Yeah, I learned that from my dad.

 

I slapped my face, because of how dumb I was. "Why didn't I think of that before?"'

 

So yes, that's about it. Sometimes the Berrygrewd family can be a disaster in the past, but now we are determined (For real this time).

 

"Oh well, at least we remained faithful for her to feel better," I said. "I'm really worried about mother, what if Nurse Joy never found a cure?"

 

"Not to worry, she will," Henrich assured.

 

Things were very rough back then. Dad died for an unknown cause, mom started having this illness that got her weaker, and now we're here, the four disastrous siblings of destruction (We named ourselves since we were kids). Well, we'll just hope that nothing will get even worse.

 

But everything did get worse than the rest of the worse (It may sound confusing, but you'll get it someday). I, MaXabiere Berrygrewd (Or you can call me Xabiere, or Xabe. I'm just suggesting) have this life that I didn't fully expect from the rest. For sixteen years, my life was trapped by a catastrophic event that I must change. So catastrophic, that I could die.

 

So, let's go to my story. Where everything is about to change.

 

Related Chapters

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter two: Rosie was nauseous

    "Is mother feeling okay?" Henrich asked Nurse Joy by the time we're in Snowfall clinic. After the book fair (Honestly, it was totally great. I even bought several books with big discounts!), Henrich and I were in the nursing room while Rosie and Mondrea were sitting on a bench in the hallway. I hope Rosie survives Mondrea's talking at this point."Yes, your mother is quite well. Doctor Walden has checked on her condition. He told me to take care of her and make sure to keep her stable," replied Nurse Joy. Her brown hair was tied up in a casual bun. Her calm facial expression was always the same. Her dark brown eyes also looked the same way as she looked at her patients and visitors."Thank goodness." Henrich sighed in relief as she closed her eyes, but then quickly opening them. "Wait, what do you mean . . . keep her stable?""Well, there is a little problem to her condition- or a big one. When

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter three: Visitors

    "It's strange, though," pondered Sam. Every Friday, I go to Sam's house for some free time. Of course, since we're best friends. "After everybody was cured, I asked myself: who on earth poisoned these people and why?" I also asked myself that, honestly. It's so mysterious that an unknown poisoning occurred all of a sudden. "Where was your sister, Rosie, before the poisoning?""Well, Henrich told me that Rosie went to the market near Western Quarté just to buy mother's favorite flowers," I responded."Market, you say?" Sam said. "No one has ever attacked the market near western quarté.""Until today." Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. "Who could that be?" I looked at the pathway towards the door even though I couldn't see it."Let me check." Sam went to the door and later came back with a newspaper. He placed it on the table and we both sat on his r

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter four: Wild hunt

    I almost forgot how big Quarté was, a land where I was born. If you're asking why it was named Quarté in the first place, it's because it was named by the founder of this huge region: Sir Aisle "Seven" McKenzie, the last Era's most popular adventurer up to this very day. During his life, he was ordinary, but today, he is a legend. The book has it that he traveled to the bottom of the earth just to find a fairy locked inside by an evil sorcerer named . . . uh . . . I think I forgot. The book was all dusty and chewed up. For a month, he traveled and found this unknown island. As he gave himself a tour just to explore this region for many days, he figured that there were no harmful monsters but friendly enchanted creatures that didn't have a business to kill humans. And he found that every area's climate was different. Such as summer from the south, spring from the east, autumn from the west, and winter from the north (where I lived). You have n

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter five: Awakened

    I was really not a big fan of running away from a three-headed devil that came out of nowhere. Trying to survive as long as possible. Then I wondered, Jeez, what time is it? What the . . . what am I thinking? I have no time to ask myself that. I'm in the middle of a life-and-death situation here. If only there's something I could do to keep myself away from the dragon. It flew in a different direction, one of the heads shook the dizziness away so they could concentrate. I ran downhill of the mountainside forest, ducking my head as the dragon kept blasting its powerful blazing beams, causing unwanted glaciers. I'm not gonna make it. There was something that zapped my mind when I thought of a stupid idea from the books I've read. I strapped my bow on my back, unsheathed my sword, and faced the reptilian monster. Are you kidding?! This is hopeless! A part of me shouted. But I simply i

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter six: One of us

    While I'm in a deep slumber, I heard the sound of hooves stomping, people yelling indistinctly, and metals chimed like heavy-weight bells. As I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a white bed with a soft blanket placed perfectly above me. My head was wrapped in bandages. On the other side, my scarf and jacket were hanging on a hook. The rosy-red color of my scarf became maroon with ashes. I could feel that my right arm was wrapped with bandages as well. I grimaced and held my head as I sat up. I was in a large tent, though no one's here except me. Where am I? I tried to get up, but the pain kept holding me down. "Well, well, well, good afternoon." It was Sean who showed up, this time he didn't look like a hippie with style, he looked more like he was going on a trip to the beach. His ponytail was wavy as ever while showing of wearing a purple floral jacket, caramel shorts, and black shoes. "Se

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter seven: Nowhere is safe

    Commander Grayson and I went to the other side of the mountain through a zigzag trail path. There, the Flash warriors even build another campsite. In it were tents so tall it's probably thirty feet in height. This other camp had a central area like an arena. A few hours later, we had a dinner party. Man, I wish my family could see what I'm seeing right now. And yet there was this anxious feeling that I wanted to get rid of. Fireflies kept changing colors as they illuminate, so were the mushrooms. We had so many delicious, appetizing, and overwhelming scents of food, desserts, and beverages on every circular table that we occupied. No matter how many foods there were, the warriors still able to munch as many as they desire as if they were in an eating contest. The chairs and tables surrounded the center of the camp. At the dinner party, Claes and Sean found and accompanied me to a table to talk. They

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter eight: Home sweet home (Not)

    I woke up as my head bumped to the ground with a loud thud. My eyes had gone black because of overdue sleep, definitely need to wash them. Later, I went upstairs to the quarter deck to see what was going on. Sean was resting on a hammock, playing his pan that attracted birds while Claes was busy driving. Yesterday, we almost died because of a tornado, and Sean forgot that he was the pilot because he had his distractions. So Claes told him that he's the one who should drive instead. "Morning." Sean stopped to greet me with his usual smile. "Morning. Where are we now?" I asked. Sean pointed to the wooden railing, I went there and gasped as I saw the Northern Quarté burned to ashes. The morning smile instantly dropped. Despite that, I could still see the white snow on the trees. We parked at the burned shore near the icy river. Sean and I followed Claes as we got off the vessel. "Look at this place." Claes wa

  • Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]   Chapter nine: Cruising 'till we get there

    Another day, another cruise. Fortunately for us and the Flash warriors, the other ships were parked beside the forest, still secured and ready to use- also safe from the three-headed dragon's flames. They escorted the villagers to their ships before departing to Sonata village. A decent-looking village yet a crowded one if you ask me for further details. It was a shame that we left Quarté. None of us would be able to live from the west, east, or even in the south because the villages were very occupied. Sadly though, even Snowfall village was the only village known in the north. That's what I know at least. "Are we there yet?" I asked Claes, leaning on the railing next to him while he took charge of the steering wheel. "No," he replied with a flat tone. "What about now?" "No." "Now?"

Latest Chapter

  • The Dragonslayer's true beginning

    Four weeks after the battle in Kanya canyon On a peaceful night in the Havadra jungle, which was separated from the northeast corner of Everlos, Fargos the Dragonsmith elf gazed at the twinkling stars. He couldn't breathe nor think properly because of what the future awaits. "Fargos!" Rhoamoltonophus stomped his feet out of the cave wearing his oversized navy blue pajamas with yellow neon stars to see his assistant standing still while looking up. "There you are. Having the same feeling as always, eh?" "Oh what-" Fargos turned to Rhoamon. "Ah yes, the same feeling as always. But this time, he will be much in trouble now his battle scorched the field." The elf looked at the newspaper he was holding with the headline of: "The Dragon slain event" The three-headed dragon that unleashed hell for many years has been slain on June 17 19 N.E (New Era). The day of celebration of the people across the world yet it is th

  • Chapter fifty-seven: Extraordinary

    Commander Grayson's perspective Many weeks had passed after the three-headed monstrous Devastrigon was slain from the dark heavens. We heard his voice echoed with defeat, but the only thing that mattered was everything was in great development to rebuild their homes and recover their resources. I did not have a chance to talk with Claes as he and his group already headed back to the Flash warrior academy. To be honest, that was one hell out of a mission. I never heard other news from the Shadow knights, but I sent secret spies to keep those knights in surveillance. We may have no idea what they'll do next. In the Flash warrior fortress built on another floating island, I watched the sun rising behind the greenish landscape. "How are the elves in Hymnalyria?" I asked without turning my head as I sensed Erna behind me. "The Flash warriors helped constructed their homes adding with stronger bonds so they won't fall this time," she answered.

  • Chapter fifty-six: Aftermath

    Nooooo! The lord from the underworld voice faded away from the last few minutes. I couldn't hear any sound but the harmony of silence. Then, I could hear birds chirping. I smelled the perfume of flowers once I inhaled. My eyes slowly opened just to find myself laying on a white bed inside a room. A nice room, but the light was dimmed because of the yellowish-orange color of the lamp's light which was standing on a brown smooth table located to my left. I looked at the lamp and beside it was a photograph of me and my family. Mom and dad's smile had never been looked happier while cuddling the four of us. We beamed with glee that reminded me about taking this photo. We all gathered for a group hug that we mostly embrace happiness, except for Mondrea because she was too small and uncomfortable for big hugs. Rosie didn't mind though. Around the brown picture frame displayed my watch necklace. To my surprise, it was polished and well painted as if someone gave it

  • Chapter fifty-five: Dragon heart

    The dragon was now confused by the time it didn't know where to fly off because of the way we were like flies. With the combined powers of every Dragonslayer, I knew how to watch my back as I flew faster than the dragon's movements. First, I helped the warriors by blasting powerful energy flares as I swung my claymore to each part. That'll do. I focused on the chest- on the heart of the dragon. With a battle cry, I dashed forward before impaling the damaged chest as hard as I could. My blade shone brighter unlike before. I could finally feel the blade digging down very slowly. It almost reached the middle of my blade. "Come on, come on, come on!" I gritted my teeth, trying to push downward. I was thinking about my teeth would crack into pieces or something, because I pressed it so tight as I fought to reach for the heart. Is this the best you can do? Pathetic. The voice from the dragon echoed through the surroundings. Dienockrus you piece of crap. P

  • Chapter fifty-four: Focus on the heart

    The twelve battleships continue to fly over the river canals. Suddenly, the bright blue sky was blanketed with stormy clouds, thunder began to rumble followed by its roar. "Is the colony far?" I asked the commander who was leaning on the railing on the quarterback. "Yup," he replied. Later on, I asked. "Are we there yet?" "No." "You sure?" "Yes." "What about now?" "No." "I can feel the dragon's gaining on us." "Then kill it," he simply said. "It's not yet the time." "We'll be there." "Are we close?" "No." "How about now?" "Yes." "Really?" "No." Like big brother, like younger brother. "Oh, man." "We're here." "Well, that's fast," I said. As the ships parked near the shore, we were facing many structures of the canyons. The horizon would be more beautiful if it wasn't for the black clouds above. And I couldn't believe what I'm

  • Chapter fifty-three: Coming to its end

    Giuseppe's perspective I couldn't stop feeling that there was something not right. I asked myself, Is there something missing? Or are the puzzle pieces are still shuffled into random positions? I didn't know what to think. In my big study room inside my golden castle, I drank hot coffee while thinking about what the boy had said to me, specifically with the commander of course. MaXabiere said that the dragon was located at Mt. Impyerno, in which Mr. Aisle and Kind Xandier of Ascentilia took their adventures to stop the Shadow knights from opening the doors of death but failed to do so. But they did have a plan by sealing it temporarily. Real talk, that didn't quite help. Because of the doors of death now opened, this dragon- the Devastrigon would spread utter death, chaos, destruction to the entire world. And I wouldn't forget about what Lady Fluteena had stated that there was a voice as the three-headed dragon destroyed her home. My thought

  • Chapter fifty-two: Taking the battle to the sky

    A high pitch frequency screeched in my eardrums. The blur blocked my vision as I kept blinking, but my sight was quickly recovered. My claymore was still in my hand. I was hearing the sound of thunder dimly. Suddenly, voices were coming from far away- calling my name despite the muffling sounds. Over the mountains, the lava flowed down toward the surface. On top of the sky were black clouds flashing with bright, flashing lights. Inside my mind came another voice, but in a whisper. Even for a slayer, you will lose, it said. "Kid!" Over the burned fields came the captain while supporting Lenard by wrapping his arm around his neck. Sean and Victor were also supporting Chloriette. They were all filthy as well, including our clothes torn in shreds. I tried to stand up, but the pain I felt let me down, literally. I haven't experienced pain for so long, I even forgot how it felt like. I lost grip on my claymore and my eyes started to fall.

  • Chapter fifty-one: It's you and me

    The sound of thunder exploded as the middle head of the Devastrigon unleashed a powerful roar before the left and the right consecutively did. It unleashed a powerful sandstorm that we had to cover ourselves. We stood on our ground while covering our faces by using our arms, trying not to get pushed by the unstoppable force. But our feet slid backward before the roar finally pushing us, causing us to roll on the ground. Opening its two big wings, the Devastrigon pierced the wall of the massive volcano to climb. It started to ascend in the red sky as we all looked up. I couldn't believe what I was seeing right now. From its huge body to its tail of the three-headed dragon was armored with crimson hard scales, so bulky it was served as its powered exoskeleton. The wings expanded following with burning flames of the inferno. The side of the dragon's forearm up to the elbows had grown pointy massive horns.

  • Chapter forty: What kind of a signal is that?

    Jabbernock gently hovered above the ground as debris surrounded him. Erna and Johnwolph stood beside me as they entered the room. "Wow, doing your job while staring at the window. That's unusual," commented Erna. Raising his arms, the general looked up and finally turned to us. Because of the wind, the only thing we saw was his silhouette and his furious eyes. "Ah, Lady Erna and . . . Johnwolph?" "What? First time to see an old man?" Johnwolph spat, but the general only laughed at the hunter's glare. "Well, you do love inviting people to the party do you, Vortecse? This is funny." "Are we just gonna joke around or what?" I yelled through the noisy storm. At his back, the window tore apart and turned into shattered debris, swirling around the general's body. He rose again until he had full control of the entire roof of the cabin. "Why? Why do you have to ask him that?" E

Scan code to read on App