INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

Skhy wanted to curse out loud. But he knew it will not help their situation. He was trying to catch his breath as he glared at the men before them. They wore black clothes and stood a foot taller than him. They could break them with their bulging muscles on their arms and legs. The same black insignias shone on their necks. It looked like a two headed snake. They were the Sentries of the Mortemians. One by one the men jumped from the branches and they were surrounded within seconds. Their wicked smiles and vicious eyes told him that they won’t let Skhy and Lei live.

He felt Lei’s back on his. She must be frightened. He thought about her safety. She was one of the Seven and he needed to protect her.

“Wright”, the man in front of him uttered with so much venom the hair on Skhy’s neck stood up. He had long dark brown hair that fall on near his jaw. He looked like he came out of a wrestling match. The way he held up his head and the way he stood told Skhy that he was the leader of the pack.

“You made us look for you all night”, he growled at him. Skhy thought about last night. If they were still looking for us, why can’t I sense their presence?

His gaze fell on Lei and shouted, “You little Missy made it harder for us!”

Skhy felt Lei gasped and moved closer behind him. He looked around to look for an escape.

“You can’t escape now. Your death will be a painful one.” The leader laughed and the others followed. Their laugh was like of hyenas but more devious and ugly.

“We better do something”, he whispered to Lei without taking his eyes off the men.

“Yeah. I know that. But what?” she whispered back. Think, Skhy.

He summoned his crystal sword. He felt the burning of his insignia behind his neck and the sword appeared on his right hand. The men stopped laughing and eyed him.

“Ah. So that’s how it is”, the wrestler said.

“We better finish this Onyx. Ciar is waiting”, the man beside the wrestler said.

“To your right”, Lei whispered. “It will lead us to the stream where the town ends.” They had to think of a way to distract the men. Skhy knew that with their combined abilities he and Lei can’t win. He reminded himself to train with her if they come out here alive.

“He should wait. We don’t have to answer to him”, Onyx replied and chucked.

“The roots can block their powers but I can’t hold them for too long”, she said behind him.

“Seconds is enough”, he replied.

“But- ”

“Shut it!” Onyx shouted at him. He looked back at Skhy.

“Let’s get down to business, Wright,” he said and gave him a creepy grin.

“Duck”, Skhy instructed. Onyx frowned at him, confused. Lei bent her knees. Skhy raised his sword towards Onyx and he spun around. Strong wind flowed from his sword knocking the men backwards.

He and Lei sprinted towards the direction of the stream leaving the men scrambling to their feet. His loud heartbeat rang in his ears. He breathed rapidly.

“I’m going to kill you, Wright!” Onyx shouted behind him. He ran like there was no tomorrow. He didn’t mind that his feet were tired.

“Look out!” Lei shouted beside him. He looked behind him and saw a rock a size of a car being thrown towards them.

“Ahhhhh!” he shouted as he raised his hand and swung his sword, sending a straight rushing wind. It hit the rock and cut it in half. The pieces crushed the nearby trees.

“I won’t let you get away!” someone shouted above them. One of the men dropped from above blocking their path. It was the man beside Onyx. Skhy stopped and pushed Lei behind him.

“What are you doing?” she asked. Annoyance was evident in her voice. He didn’t respond. Even if she gets angry with him, he didn’t mind. He just had to protect her. He felt the presence of the other men behind them. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“No more running around, Wright. Good job, Luis”, Onyx said behind him. Luis, the one who stopped them, snickered.

“It’s my turn”, Lei said behind. He frowned, but without waiting for his response, she acted. She glared at Luis, who glared back. Within seconds, large roots shot up from the ground around him. It circled him until it trapped him in a box.

Lei never failed to surprise Skhy.

“Get me out of here!” Luis’ voice was muffled. Skhy turned towards the others. Onyx looked surprised for a moment but glared at Skhy after. They weren’t aware of the dozen long thick roots wiggling behind them. He noticed a large hole on the ground where the roots stood up. It must have swallowed the earth when the roots left the ground.

“You are not going to win, Wright”, Onyx spitted while Luis kept on shouting inside the box.

“This is our only chance”, he whispered to Lei without looking at her.

“I know”, she replied. He noticed the trembling in her voice. Skhy was terrified too but the moment he let it show, it would be over.

He saw the men gripping their swords. He gripped his and pointed it towards them. The men shouted and ran towards them. Skhy stood his ground and swung his sword. Their swords cut his wind. Skhy tried again. It knocked some of the men’s swords but Onyx neared him and struck his sword. They were engaged in a sword fight but it was clear that Onyx was stronger and bigger and more experienced.

Then he remembered Lei. I can’t see her. He started to panic.

Then he felt another man sneaked up behind him but he was able to dodge the blow. One by one, the men advanced towards him. He was barely able to stop the strikes with his sword. Onyx aimed at his shoulder. Skhy moved too late and felt the sting on his left shoulder. He was able to get out of the circle but they would chase him again. He kneeled, unable to ignore the plea of his tired arms and legs and the pain on his shoulder.

“Skhy!” He looked behind him and saw Lei aiming for a man running towards him. The arrow hit his sword, sent him flying and hit the tree trunk with a grunt. Three men were tossed by the roots.

He remembered the hole.

“The hole!” he shouted back. He returned his attention to Onyx and the others.

“This is the end”, he said and swung his sword. Skhy’s sword received the blow. He shouted as he pushed him with all his might. Onyx stumbled back.

Skhy concentrated on the sounds of nature. The wind stilled for a moment then came rushing towards them from different direction. The branches and leaves bent as they violently hit one another. He heard the wind’s howl. Its anger. Skhy breathed slowly as he looked at Onyx and the men who were advancing towards him.

He raised his sword, getting ready to release his remaining energy. The wind rushed towards the men. It was only a second when he saw the look on their faces as the wind punched their bodies and dumped them in the hole. Another four men went flying to the hole. He heard their moans and grunts. He looked behind him and saw Lei dusting her shirt. Thank God she’s okay.

“It’s not the end, you know”, she said. I know. He looked back to the hole. The roots trapped the men under its massive bodies. He heard their swords cutting them.

“Let’s go before your power wears out”, he said to her. He retrieved his bag and got his hat and coat. He put them on before they started to run. The run lasted for half an hour, only stopping to rest their legs. The forest was really wide. When it was clear that they were far enough from them, they started to walk. He looked at Lei beside him.

“I’m sorry”, he said. He must have offended her earlier. He knew she can fight but the stakes were high.

“I’m capable”, she responded without looking at him. He opened his mouth to say something but she stopped walking. He stopped too.

“What?”

“We have to get herbs.”

“For what?” She looked at him and raised a brow. Oh. My wound.

“It’s okay. I’ll clean it in the stream.” But, of course, she didn’t listen. She turned right and he followed.

“The enemies are still out there”, he insisted.

“I know”, she replied. She stopped to look around the bush then continued walking. He just couldn’t win against her.

“This won’t take long. The herbs are near,” she explained when he didn’t respond. The pain was bearable but his left hand felt drained because of the blood lost. He touched his left shoulder with his right hand. He hissed and dropped his hand.

“I told you,” Lei said with her back on him.

“I saw it.” She walked faster and he followed with the same pace.

Then she abruptly stopped. Her shoulder tensed. Then it hit him. He stopped and his eyes widened at the figure leaning on a tree. Her back was facing them. Her energy was unrecognizable. An enemy? He unconsciously stepped forward and a twig under his foot snapped.

He held his breath as her body tensed and turned to face them. Her eyes caught his attention. They were like gold but more brown than yellow. He remembered autumn. He released his breath. But despite their golden colour, her eyes showed fear. And sadness?

Still, for him, they were beautiful.