5: White Mist

Zayer slowly shifted his eyes up towards the sight before him as he sat near a window in the grand room. He carefully stared at Dinn who was lying unconscious on his face. The sword was glowing softly and as Zayer nervously looked on he noticed the light it was releasing was dimming as it flashed. He locked his eyes with it until the glowing sword stopped glowing altogether and the sight of a beautiful sword with a white blade and white hilt was revealed. *Phew~*

After releasing the relieved sigh, Zayer began to wonder just where the sword came from.

As he began to debate in his head whether he should approach the blade or not the sword in question started to slowly skid across the floor towards Dinn. As it got closer to the boy's passed out body, Zayer stood up and began to hastily prepare himself. As the sword reached a certain point it quietly changed into a white mist that wrapped Dinn's body.

After a few awkward moments shifting around and looking at the white mist that encroached the eight-year-old, the sword mist vanished. *Ha~* Releasing a soul pressuring breath in his chest, Zayer tensely eased himself up. He then kept his eye's sight attached to the softly breathing boy of his age laying unconscious. 'I've had to deal with enough of this surprising shit for a lifetime just today alone.'

Making sure there was really nothing left in store for him, he began to look over the room. "Wow." The signs of battle were riddled all over the room. What he didn't notice when he was dodging the slashing waves of white energy from before was there impact. On the ground a little distances away Nito was lying with a giant gash going down his right side on his chest. The wound wasn't as deep as the ones against the wall behind him but it still looked painful.

The walls around the room were either riddled with sword slash gorges or dents from Werty's sling shot. The other two boys were a little farther away but otherwise it was a negligible difference where Zayer could prep himself if they got up. Streak of dust were lifted off the ground revealing a beautiful stone pattern. And puddles of blood released a dripping path from one another.

Looking out the window Zayer took in the full view of sun that was nearing its descent into the landscape beyond. He stepped out and climbed down the building from the outside.

When he reached the first floor he climbed back inside. Walking inside the tower's lobby he tiptoed in the darkness silently until he reached a broken down barricade for the entrance opposite to the plaza entrance. "This is why I said we needed to steal better materials."

----------

"Hup Hup!"

*Neigh~*

Two horses were speeding along a dirt road towards the north from the central district. Pulling along behind them was a grand white and light blue carriage. Inside sat three priestess' dressed in light blue robes and the head priestess Hera.

"He was somewhere directly north of us before his signal faded and then completely disappeared," Rovyst explained as the four sat looking at a map on the table they gathered around. "So that leaves his location to being somewhere in the Gino's area."

"And that is~," a hooded senior priestess said as she ran her finger across the map,"around Lake Pin's settlements, Esidia, Kodin, Jazi... Belst, Belst Post or Gwejed."

"And that's if we expect to have stayed in-THe- same place long enough for us to catch him," Rovyst added as the racing carriage sped over a bump.

"The signal we got from his birth spark was the south so we should expect that as well." The four mulled over the hooded priestess' agreement.

"When we get back we must push for a nation wide ability and mark test," Hera broke the silence with her instructions.

"Yes, Lady Hera!" the four responded in unison.

"He probably hasn't gone too far since the night has only just begun. Have as many warriors as possible search all of the north." A a deep voiced priestess spoke while griping a sword on her side. "And also have Gino's Gang cooperate during the search."

-

Outside the carriage was racing under the night sky as a half white moon loomed overhead. The road straight ahead would lead straight to Esidia, a neutral territory, and was also a spot of interest in the search. This is where they were planning to base their operations as they searched the north.

---------

Zayer was lying in an empty small bed in one of the stalls at the base of one of the buildings. This was the last one Riaz used before he left and since it was being kept in good condition this past month, it required little to no preparations. Cleaning and making use of the empty stalls riddled around the plaza was something Riaz did regularly as he constantly changed the stall he slept in.

"Shi~," Zayer couldn't sleep as he stared at the stall's roof. He wasn't completely exhausted from putting the barricade back up after throwing out the three intruders. His usual sleeping place was beyond repair and it mattered little to him now as he was about eligible to Phase at any moment.

Shuffling under the sheets he drew out his left hand. Looking at the completed mark of an arrow pointing diagonally within a thick ring circle, tears formed in his eyes.

*Sniff*

A tear rolled down his cheek as he pulled out his right hand while putting his left to his side. Looking directly at the mark he was surprised to see another completed mark of Siana that wasn't there until just recently. It wasn't the same as the one on his left. It had both a different color and appearance.

It was completely white and was releasing a very small light glow. The glow was familiar and sent a shiver through his body. It had the same thick ringed circle as his right hand but in the center was a two intersecting lines. This was the females mark of Siana but it was completely white.

Stressing his brain for an answer he recalled the feeling of having his hand pierced by the mysterious white sword. He felt no pain at that moment and the words of the strange voice controlling the other boys body filled his head. Shaking his head on the soft cushion he rested on he tried again to drift into sleep.

"Should I go visit Rina?" he mulled. Images of his cute younger sister flashed through his mind. He hadn't visited his younger sister in the central district in over a month now while protecting the plaza. "Riaz probably would of told me to go." Images of his brown haired and green eyed teenager also crossed his mind as he smiled while reminiscing.

These thought led to the other person besides the three he came in contact with today. He felt a deep sadness after her disappointed face entered his mind. "I'll go out to visit Rina first morning," he resolved.

After a few tosses and turn he finally drove himself to sleep.

-

"-ey. Zayer wake up!" His slumber was short lived as he was nudged and called into wake. He was surprised to see in his small stall was a familiar pair of green eyes.

"Ri-Riaz?" he half sleepily said before he realized the absurdity of his words, after looking at who it actually was. "Hera!" Raising his volume a little, he sat up on his mattress.

"*Shhhh~* Be quiet." She gestured with her index finger, putting it to her mouth. "Look outside," she whispered.

Getting up, Zayer walked towards the stalls entrance as he peeked passed the half open door. He saw five women holding torches scattered across the plaza and a grand carriage parked beside the remains of his previous bed. "What the hell?"

"We need to leave," Hera whispered.

Considering the severity of the situation Zayer quickly grabbed his brown cloak and stepped out. He gestured for Hera to follow as they walked along the building's stalls until they reached one between two recently renovated stalls. This unlike the two surrounding it was covered in cobwebs and dust.

"Follow." Hera hesitated before she followed Zayer who had gently slid into the aged stand.

---------

Minutes later a white cloaked warrior rushed over to the carriage next to the wooden rubble. She urgently knocked on the door as the sounds of an active fountain accompanied her panting breath. Behind her was a group of women in white robes rushing to the carriage as well.

As the women behind her started assembling themselves in an organized line the door in front opened. "Report," Rovyst started.

"We have found something." Rovyst raised her eyebrows in interest. "Fresh signs of battle were found in Esidia Tower."

"Good. Now start a search of the nearby areas and inform the east to begin their lookout for suspicious boys." The white robed subordinate bowed before Rovyst closed the carriage door.

"Daron was most likely just here." Rovyst lowered her head as she relayed the new findings to the elder Hera.

A fifth person in white robes was present and waited after Rovyst's update before she added, "Sighting of the young mistress of being in he North have also been discovered. Could Daron have-"

"That's not possible," the elder Hera interrupted. "The battle is probably what revived Daron and forced him to resurface in his new host. Along with the fact Hera has been missing for over a month that possibility is negligible."

"Her training also makes her an impossible target for her. She is a presence he would certainly avoid as Siana is in direct contact with her." Another priest added carefully setting down a cup of tea at the command table.

As the five looked at the map the elder Hera turned to the fifth person in the room. A woman in a similar white toga as the women searching outside but unlike theirs, hers was decorated in a gold and blue sash. The scabbard and her well toned muscles gave her an impression of strength. "Can you have finding Hera a second priority, Jita," the elder asked.

The brown haired woman bowed as she answered, "Yes, Madam Hera."

----------

After navigating through Esidia's underground catacombs that were interlaced with the abandoned city's sewage system, Hera was finally free. The sun was shinning high above as she spotted Zayer standing outside the cave."*Ha~* Finally!"

"Fresh air at long last." Stepping out of the cave, Hera took note of the rolling hills that ended behind her and the flat grasslands that extended into the distance. 'We're about halfway to Central,' she concluded while approximating their location.

"We should be able to reach Central before tomorrow morning," Zayer explained. He waited outside the wide exit cave shooting out of the ground as he observed the empty valley that stretched out before him.

"More walking?" Hera slumped down. "Can we take a little break for now at least?"

"Fine." Zayer was tired as well but was too preoccupied with seeing his sister one last time. He was also wondering why Siana's special task force was in Esidia. He implored Hera a few times but she brushed him off saying he was too young and it didn't involve him... for now. He wondered about her words and wanted to nag her but couldn't bring himself to do it.

He lay down his cloak at the narrow cave entrance and then lay down for some long overdue sleep. The sounds of a snoring Hera against the cave wall were surprisingly calming as he drifted into sleep.

---

"?!"

Zayer opened his eyes. Then closed them and then opened them once again. "Where the hell is this?"

All he could see was a wide expanse of red that seemed impossible to measure how wide it extended. At his feet a white mist or smoke was covering the ground everywhere.

After a few minutes he began to walk around aimlessly. His fear slowly took hold of him. He began to wonder if he had phased while he slept. Would he be here forever? Was anyone else out here? He then began to shiver which led him to notice he was completely naked. He looked at his hands and noticed both the marks were gone.

He walked aimlessly for what felt like hours on end. He realized a while back that he couldn't feel hot or cold. It was a completely numbing feeling but he could still feel his fingers when he poked and pulled the skin on his arm. The whole experience felt strangely natural.

He turned his eyes up towards the sky. His eyes slowly zoomed in on a dot in the sky. "A white star in a red sky."

After looking at the star for too long he began to feel dizzy and nauseous. He started stumbling around for a few moments before he tripped. Gasping for air for some unknown reason, Zayer began to panic. What was that star and what was it doing to him. Laying down on his back in the mist he felt the nauseousness subside.

After laying down in the comfortable embrace of the mist he started to calm down. This feeling of serenity was short lived as he noticed the mist rise higher and higher above him. He sat up fast as quickly as possible but the mist was still rising. It was up to his neck.

"*Koff! Koff!*"

The mist started to smother him. It began to flow into his mouth and nose; he could even feel it seeping into his ears. After trying his best to stand up the mist started to become a thin liquid. He began to reach for the nauseating star in desperation as if trying to bring it closer.

'Why?' Just because. 'I don't want to die?' Who would kid? 'When can I leave?' This yo-no OUR existence. You can't just leave. 'Let me go!' Kehehe. I'm not doing this to hurt you. Your too weak for all the control in here. Just give me a shot.

As he struggled to rise from the rising whiteness covering him Zayer became desperate. With each arm stroke the star above him became closer and closer. The closer it came the weaker the white waters became, until it turned to mist again.

-

*Flash*

Suddenly he started to see flashing images. *Flash*They looked... like the cave he was sleeping in.

*Flash-Flash*

A few flashes later he opened his eyes to see Hera holding his right hand which was glowing a gentle white. He quickly jerked his hand back from her and stood up. She was kneeling with his wraps next to her.

"What d-did you do?" he quickly asked.

"Nothing. Are you a girl? Why is your mark white?" She waved her hand in front of her face as if trying to brush him off while trying to change the topic.

"D-DON'T FUCKING IGNORE ME! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" Taking a few steps forward he snatched his wraps.

"Ha~ I'm sorry but I can't tell you or else you might become weaker." Zayer twitched his eyebrows at her response. "Just trust me. I'm not doing this to hurt you."

"So that was you trying to kill me in there?!"

"Kill? Unggh!" Hera didn't have the chance to prepare herself as Zayer kicked her in the stomach and burst out the cave. Grabbing her stomach, she groaned.

As Zayer ran out into the open fields he hurriedly wrapped his hand up. In the distance he could see the main road off to his left. He changed his direction to it when he saw a horse drawn carriage heading north in his direction.

"Zayer!" In the distance he could Hera calling out. He had already put a safe distance between them while closing the distance to the road.

-

"Is that a boy?" Biru pointed to a boy running through the grass fields running towards them.

"All the way out here?" The tattered clothed boy was heading straight for them.

"Maybe he needs help?"

"Ignore him." Fiam pointed her head out the front carriage door, interrupting the two chattering women. It was her duty as a Squadron leader to escort her group of eleven to Esidia to assist in the search for Daron's new host. "We need to get to Esidia ASAP."

"?!" Biru then noticed something strange and started to point behind the boy. "Isn't that a priestess of Siana?"

"Stop!" Fiam while trying to make sense of the scene before her commanded the two to stop the horses. 'Could that be Daron's new host?'

-

'Why did they stop?' Zayer was getting closer and closer and so was Hera who was gaining on him. After a few seconds of trying to make out who was on the carriage he noticed something he intially overlooked in his desperation to flee. 'Shit! That's not a merchant wagon.'

"Zay-"

The sound of Hera calling out was cut off as an arrow zipped by him. It missed luckily but the relief for the shooters failure was short lived, as a rain of arrows arched above him.

Without a moments to spare, Zayer sped up to his top speed as all the arrows stabbed the ground behind him.

A surprise shot clipped his left leg as he juped onto the wide dirt road.

As he landed another arrow grazed the same leg.

A group of archers in white assembled themselves in a line thirty meters away directly in front of the carriage he was planning to hijack.

"Zayer," Hera cried as she got closer to the road. Zayer stood motionless in the middle of the road with an arrow in his shin, while he was staring down an Archery.

As she approached the road side with a worried expression, Zayer turned towards her. His eyebrows slanted in anger as he looked at her with a betrayed look in his eyes. "Fuckin' bitch..."

As she locked eyes with the boy less than half her age, she could hear bow strings being released. She couldn't take her eyes off of his eyes as they started to flash white.

---

This is what I meant by your too weak.

Zayer shuddered as he found himself back i the red world completely naked. The white mist was up to his knees.

Step out the way. On cue with the bodiless voice's command, the mist started to gather around him until he was completely covered in it.

CHAPTER 5 END