Leaving home and wandering into a foreign world did not create monsters in his dream. It was the inkling of sleeping and hoping to wake to the constant yell of Granny and the smiling face of Fred that had distressed him. It was agony, sleeping and waking, only to realize that he would not see Fred or Granny again. Days have gone by and each time he asked these people about Fred, they had this silly way of laughing at him as if the name of his brother was the funniest thing they’ve ever heard. And escaping was difficult, especially with the titanium and explosive they’ve plugged under his clavicle bone. He still could not figure out how the explosives work. Before now, he thought it was a bluff until he had felt a strange pain through his spine. Aaron had warned him of the implications. The almond-coloured eyed man always went about his business, ignoring Damian most of the time, or that's what he wanted Damian to think. For s
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ELIXA CHAPTER 16
The dazzling light that shone about her was harsh, and for a moment, she could only taste dust and sand on her taste bud. Her head ached too, together with her shoulders which held the weight of the world on them. She tried to stand, yet her wobbling hands and feet would not carry the weight of her body. It took two attempts before she staggered to her knees. Standing was difficult. The spot felt comfortable too and had the grace of easing the weakness in her body. A voice at the back of her head advised she remained there. Maybe it would take away the sadness and the hopelessness which resided in her bones. Taking a deep breath, she closed and opened her eyes. The feeling was familiar, but she hated it. The last time she felt like this was the day her parents passed on. That same night had left her with emptiness and memories. The urge to remain here and cry her heart out was becoming appealing. She breathed in again. Life had its ups and downs and If she was going to give up, it wa
ELIXA CHAPTER 17
Catherine had said something about crossing the west, to enable them to meander through the stones and navigate away from the Dweller's Den. It would take another day or two to get back on course, yet she had forced the captain to change direction even though the man had protested. Damian could only make guesses. From what they had said about the Dwellers, it was obvious that they were people who the hunters really wouldn't want to make any fuss with. Even Alex, in his proud, self-egocentric poise had shivered at the mere mention of the Dwellers. The man had a stone feeling and for something to scare him?Damian shivered. It happens that the Dwellers and the hunters were of the same tribe. But the long quarrel had left both parties splitting. As shameful as Aaron had presented it, the Hunters kept saying that they were the ones who had the right to protect the gate and had kept it stand
ELIXA CHAPTER 18
If this were to be a town or city, then, The Grave of Orphans would have been the dumbest name in the entire Nine Rings. But now, it turns out to be a stream of wasteland, stretching towards the hands of the earth and lowering its ugly head as they gawk in mockery at anything that has life. Kristen has read some of the books in Freetown, this waste was once the birthplace of a powerful dynasty. The kingdom of the most feared creature in the history of the people. It used to be the center of tourism and the birth of the scientific world. She had even read somewhere that the tree of the Silverton, stood in the middle, and could be seen anywhere in the nine rings. Too bad all those wonderful tales have become an illusion, replaced now by sand and dust, with air so harsh it could almost choke. It was a clear definition of what greed and the quest for power could do to the world.“Walk on th
ELIXA CHAPTER 19
“Hunters!” Austin screamed as he hurried out of the deck. His hood floated away from his shoulders, as he drew out two pistols. “Men on me. Aim for the shining crystal.”Random feet followed his orders as they trampled the wooden floor. The gray hunter’s uniform marked their meanness and sturdy features. On their hands were guns of different shapes and designs, but mostly shaped like a P900.“The quickest way to die is to run away. Take courage and fight for your goddamn lives” Austin screamed again as he took position on the reel. His men followed his lead, waiting for the dust that kept rising to the heavens. Whatever was causing the sandstorm was not something anyone was taking lightly. Aaron had said something about not screaming or making a noise, but Damian was not so sure, since the man had hu
ELIXA CHAPTER 20
Silence passed from one end of the hall to the next, flushing its serenity on the face of the people who sat on the chairs, with their thoughts almost crawling on the marbled floor. They were eight in number, men and women, each an ambassador of their country. While their skin color gave the distinction in race and language, their mode of dressing also stood as a unanimous code, buttressing the difference that now stood as one. They were the power of the kingdom, the very force that held the world and kept it from crumbling. No decision passed without their notice, and no law was made without their decision. From the far side of Caudlin to Bel Haven and to Emron itself. Northerners and Wetlanders. The only absent seat was the one whom nobody was talking about. Arthesia. Those highlanders had departed from the council a long time ago and had forgotten what it means to be in unity with their fellow men. They were regarded as outlaws, men who worshiped and ruled themselves.“Present your
ELIXA CHAPTER 21
Rodian rubbed his palms together before wiping them on his face. He picked the cup and watched from the corner of his eyes, the men on the table. They were studying him closely, waiting anxiously for his reply. But the ease that hung on his shoulders suggested that if they pushed him long enough, he might just tell them what they wanted to hear, truth or no, they would have to figure that out by themselves. George spread his hands on his chair back, smiling like a baby that had found its favorite toy. He wanted Rodian to fail, to displease the table and come crawling on his knees, asking for mercy. For all Nina could tell, their squabble went beyond the issues on the table. If gaze could kill, both men would have devoured each other from the beginning. As it were, only Rodian knew the height and limits of the current situation, maybe George too, it was difficult to ascertain, since th
ELIXA CHAPTER 22
Coming back had been a mistake. After what had happened twenty years ago, Carlos Stones never knew he would see this place again on such short notice. He had been forced to leave at first, having spent three years in jail, for a crime he knew nothing about. If his brother were here, he might as well call Carlos a fool for not picking the piece and learning from his past. Well, the good thing was that his brother was not here. Like the rest, he had disappeared with the wind, without a trace.Tugging down his hat, Carlos buried his hands into his pocket as he hurried through the boulevards. To say that it had rained cat and dog would be an exaggeration, the August rain had clearly picked a disturbing day to welcome him back to his hometown. However, he had somehow managed to avert them from drenching his coat despite having stayed on it for heaven knows how long. Men and women, children and ani
ELIXA CHAPTER 23
Carlos adjusted the hem of his collar, wondering if he should knock on the white door, or turn back and return to his apartment. Something at the back of his mind advised him not to proceed, that this was a bad idea. He should have at least thought it through instead of jumping to follow Beth’s instructions like an errand boy. He was not a dog, and certainly not a timid one.“Goddamn it” He rustled and bit his finger, turning away from the door.Yellow lights shown on the empty hallway, reflecting on the marbled floor and adding more grace to the white polished wall. This part of the pub was a private space, dedicated wholly to the Red Heron. They had not told the landlord of course, but Mitch had been strict in his dealings and had warned the white-beard landlord that he was paying not only for the space but for the privacy as w