In this world, there are two types of beings – the Gifted and the Non-Gifted.

No one really knows how the Gifted gained their powers – their Gifts. It has been an old, ancient belief that the Ancient Ones – the Ancient Gods gifted their chosen ones; their descendants, the Gifts they possessed. From there, those descendants passed down their abilities to their descendants, and so on.

But at some point in history; most probably after one too many wars waged by Eldario, the Gifted were soon feared for their powers, particularly as the vast majority of the Gifted were drafted into Eldario’s army to wipe out their enemies.

They were feared. Hated. Spat upon.

The fear and perhaps envy by the Non-Gifted spread like a disease. And soon, there is a fine line drawn amongst the citizens of Eldario. New laws were drafted up; none of them fair to the Gifted.

The Gifted were forced to declare their status and their abilities to the High Council and the Eldario Sovereign Agency – the ESA; the country’s law enforcers. Those who declared soon found themselves out of a job and evicted from their homes. Families with the Gifted ones turned on them.

Out of desperation, the Gifted formed their own community. Several even retreated underground; doing whatever they could just to survive.

Come to think of it, all the troubles that we have faced and gone through; and even what we did are all due to the actions of our predecessors.

And I wonder, if things had been different, would we have done things differently?

~Extract from Diary of Laura O’Boyle

* * * *

~Zephys, eastern continent of Eldario; November 230~

“I said, unhand me!”

A small girl of about fifteen with dark hair and unusual white eyes was flailing about in the hold of one of the men; struggling to get free. Not too far away from her, with his face pressed against the gravelled ground was a boy of similar age and appearance, being pinned down by two other men.

“Silence, wretch!”

The sound of a slap echoed around the alleyway that they were in.

“You both are Gifted, aren’t you?” One of the men holding down the boy demanded, never releasing his hold. “Freaks!”

“Let go of me!” The boy growled as best as he could with half his face being pinned to the ground.

“Shut up!” The man holding onto the girl finally lost his patience with all the struggling the two children are doing. He whipped out a dagger from his back pocket and held it close to the slender neck of the young girl who froze at feeling the metal on her skin. “One more word out of either of you, and I’ll slit your throat!”

“Kailey—”

Whatever that the boy was about to say was cut off when the knife in the man’s grasp was pulled out of his hand by an unseen force and went spiralling down the dark alley. The man himself found himself flung against the nearest wall hard, and was held there by an unseen force.

Kailey found herself free and on her knees; but her eyes were wide; staring at the man who had just held her hostage with almost fascinated horror.

“What the…?”

“What’s going on?”

The men pinning the boy to the ground tried to reach for their guns only to find themselves unable to move a single muscle.

“What…?”

“I can’t move…!”

“Another Gifted?!”

And it was then that Kailey saw her.

A girl—maybe not much older than Kailey, walked towards them—looking as if she’d just melted out of the shadows. She had a coat on, with the hood over her head—concealing most of her face. The only thing that Kailey could tell about her is that she had dark hair. Her footsteps barely made a sound on the gravelled road even.

“You won’t be able to move a single inch. So don’t even bother trying.” The girl spoke, hands shoved into her pockets. Her gaze shifted towards Kailey and her brother—or at least, Kailey assumed that she is looking at them. “You gentlemen are aware that setting on the Gifted in this town would do nothing but just get you a death sentence if any of the underground gangs here catches you at it?”

Kailey exchanged quick glances with Neil who had managed to wriggle out of the hold of the men who were rendered paralysed by the girl—another Gifted, Kailey silently mused to herself; even as both the siblings backed away into a corner; ducking behind a nearby trashcan.

And it is true what the unknown Gifted had said; Zephys is likely one of the few places in Eldario; if not the only one that is one of the few sanctuaries for the Gifted. If only because Zephys is an underground-run town. The underground gangs make the rules and runs the show here; with the largest and most influential being the street gang Blade.

“Blade exists no longer!” The man holding Kailey at the beginning sneered at the girl. “You freaks shouldn’t even be allowed to exist! All that you’re good for is to serve as weapons! What use is there for you anyway otherwise?”

The man let out a scream of pain even as his bones could almost be physically seen being twisted. Clearly, the girl didn’t appreciate the insult to the Gifted. The loud cracking of bones resounded around the alleyway. Kailey whimpered and clamped her hands over her ears; but she kept her eyes opened.

And it is thanks to that that she saw another shadow appear behind the girl, holding what seems to be some sort of weapon over his head.

“Behind you!” Neil shouted a warning.

The girl turned just in time to be struck by the new arrival, and was sent spiralling across the ground.

“Boss!” The three pinned men to the walls cried out at the sight of the new arrival.

“I was wondering what is taking you morons so long to grab two stupid kids. And I see you get held up by yet another stupid kid?” The ‘Boss’ sneered, slamming the end of the steel baton that he had been using onto the ground.

“Hey!” Kailey called out to the girl with concern.

“…I’m all right.”

The girl coughed before getting slowly to her feet; the blow from earlier had knocked off her hood. And for the first time, all those present were able to see her face, and they froze.

Midnight black hair that reaches down to chin level framed the side of a thin face with pale skin and high cheekbones. Coupled with her colouring and dark clothes, it only made her skin look even paler. But that is not what had caused all those present to freeze.

“What…?” The ‘Boss’ froze in terror. “What the hell are those eyes?!”

A pair of different coloured eyes glared back at the man, already with a trickle of blood running down the side of her face from the blow earlier. A right amber eye with a green left eye with red irises. It is wholly reminiscent of the look of the Devil.

Kailey and Neil only stared on, speechless.

“These cursed eyes of mine…” The girl murmured, caressing the skin beneath her right eye as she spoke—never taking her gaze off the man before her, “could see the souls of people and weigh them for their sins. I am Judgment. I’ve seen your future.” She straightened her back. “And your future is Death!”

‘Boss’ reached to his side where the bulge of a gun is vaguely visible. But he never managed to touch his gun. He froze in his tracks—suffering the same fate that had befallen his men earlier.

“She’s telepathic.” Neil realised. It’s one of the most coveted Gifts that the ESA had always been on the lookout for, he knew.

Click. Click. Click. Click.

With the simultaneous sounds of gun safeties being released, both Neil and Kailey then realised that there were guns floating in front of each man—with the barrel being pointed at their heads.

The four men paled; knowing what is about to happen.

“N-No… Please… Have mercy…” One of the men who had held Neil down earlier pleaded, his eyes wide with horror. “W-We’re wrong… Please… Just let us go…”

“How many times have the Gifted unable to defend themselves begged you like this, and you never showed them any mercy?” The girl questioned coolly. “Besides, you mentioned something about Blade, didn’t you?” Her eyes flickered towards the first man that she’d flung against the wall. “It is true that Blade exists no longer. But it doesn’t mean their ideals and the rules and town that they’d created died with them.”

The boss’ eyes widened in realisation. “…You’re a survivor of Blade.”

The girl made no indication that she’d heard his words. “Send my regards to the Lord of the Netherworld,” she said coolly.

Kailey looked away even as four gunshots echoed around the alleyway before there were loud thuds. When she looked up again, it is to see the bodies of the four men that have threatened them lying motionless on the ground, blood pooling around their heads.

The girl is now looking at them.

Kailey finally found the strength in herself to scramble from behind the trashcan that she had been hiding behind to greet her saviour—though she approached warily. As did Neil behind her, eyeing the girl like she’s a poisonous viper.

“T-Thank you.” Kailey was relieved to find that her voice is steady when she spoke.

“Why did you help us?” Neil asked curiously. “No one in this town did, even when they heard our screams.” He said almost sadly.

A flicker of what seems like regret flashed across the eyes of the girl before she smoothed her expression. “…I couldn’t save my people,” she said at last. “My friends. My people. The ones that trusted me and put their lives in my hands. I couldn’t save them. I promised, and I failed. But I can at least save you.”

“Was it true what they said? That you’re a Blade survivor?” Neil asked carefully. “We’ve heard rumours about them and this town. That it’s the only place safe for the Gifted now. But by the time I came here with my sister,” He gestured towards Kailey, “we found out that Blade was set upon and destroyed barely two months ago.”

The girl shifted her eyes towards Neil, a small smile curling at the ends of her lips. “I wonder?”

Kailey bit on her lip, shifting on her feet. There has been an old saying since the ancient times that the Gifted with unusual features are believed to be amongst those blessed, and thus, hold the strongest powers of all.

If that saying is true, then this girl…

“What will you do now?” Kailey asked suddenly; and two pairs of eyes turned onto her. “What are you going to do now?” She asked again.

The girl gave Kailey an odd look.

“I’m leaving this town,” she said at last. “There are too many memories here.” She smiled sadly. “I’m going to lay low for awhile. If anyone found out that there are still survivors of Blade…” She trailed off slowly, shaking her head. “I’m thinking of travelling for a bit. See the world. Maybe I can then figure out what I want to do next.”

“Can we come?” Neil blurted out suddenly, much to Kailey’s surprise; especially as her brother doesn’t tend to trust easily. And then again, this girl is the first Gifted that they’d met. As a rule, most of the Gifted tend to hide their true selves, even amongst those of their kind. “We won’t drag you down or anything. We can defend ourselves. So can my twin sister. We’re Gifted.” He added hastily.

Said girl stared at the siblings for a long time before sighing. “You shouldn’t get too close to me. People have a habit of dying around me all the time,” she admitted. Kailey opened her mouth to protest, “And then again, it probably isn’t a good idea to leave you alone in Zephys. Eldario is a cruel place for the Gifted.”

“We won’t drag you down.” Neil said again.

“That’s not my concern.” The girl said, looking from one twin to the other. “There are…people after me. If you go with me, you’ll get dragged into my affairs.”

“We’re Gifted. People are going to be after us either way.” Kailey replied. “Whether it be hunters, or even those from the ESA. In that case, wouldn’t it be safer to stick together?”

The girl stared at Kailey for a long time before her shoulders slumped. “I’ll probably regret this. But fine,” she said at last, and the twins grinned triumphantly. “I got a boat somewhere at the docks. If you’re going to come, we’re leaving Zephys tonight.”

“Thank you!” Kailey cried even as the girl turned on her heel to leave behind the alleyway and the four bodies; with the twins having to run to catch up to her. “I’m Kailey O’Fearghail. This is my older twin brother—”

“Neil O’Fearghail.” Neil introduced himself, falling in pace with the girl.

“Pleasure,” she said, pulling the hood over her head once more. “I’m Sera Kroix. Nice to meet you.”

∞ | Vengeance is sweet. Vengeance taken when the vengee isn’t sure who the venger is\, is sweeter still. - Gary D. Schmidt (The Wednesday Wars) | ∞

* * * *

All Rights Reserved ©

∞ | Chapter 2 | ∞

* * * *

~Waters

of Aurora; December 230~

Sera found

herself dreaming again—a dream that she hadn’t had in awhile.

“Sera,

run!”

“…We’re

getting out of here, I swear it. Once we do, let’s be friends out there as

well. From one Gifted to another—”

“…They’re

coming for us, aren’t they?”

“I can’t

let you sacrifice your lives for me—”

“Can it.

You’ve done so much for us. This is the least we could do—”

“—But

whatever it is, it doesn’t matter anymore. Not any longer. One more battle.

This will be the night that Blade fights our final battle. But you’ll always be

my best friends—”

Sera jerked

awake when she felt a touch on her shoulder. Acting on pure instinct ingrained within

her for years; she reached up and grabbed the hand.

When she’d

finally opened her eyes and blinked the sleep out of it, she saw a startled

Kailey standing in front of her, half pulled over due to Sera having a firm

grip on her wrist. Sera stared at Kailey for just a moment before she released

her hold.

“…Sorry.”

Kailey

winced, rubbing at her wrist. “Remind me not to wake you in the future,” she

said weakly. “Anyway, Neil said that we’re getting close to Aurora, and that I

should wake you.”

“…Okay.”

Sera murmured, sitting up in the sofa that she’d fallen asleep on. Kailey only

gave Sera a look of concern before leaving; presumably going to find her twin

brother who is currently steering the boathouse that they’re in. Sera pinched

the bridge of her nose to ease her headache. “…Zest…” Sera murmured to herself.

*

There was a

slight drizzle even as Neil carefully steered the boathouse and pulled it in at

the docks of Aurora, with Sera throwing a rope around the anchor point at the

dock, securing it in place. Due to the rain and the time of the night, hardly

anyone is around on the streets of Aurora—a fact that all three were thankful

for.

Neil and

Kailey watched even as they stood outside the modest blue and white boathouse

even as Sera turned off the lights within and locked it securely before joining

them, already pulling up the hood of her jacket over her head—an action that both Kailey and Neil mimicked.

Kailey turned back to look at the boathouse

gently bobbing about on the waves of the sea even as she followed Sera to

wherever it is that she’s taking them to.

She still can’t believe how much her life

has changed in just the course of a month.

Neil and Kailey were both very surprised

when they’d first seen the boathouse that they’ll most likely be living in for

the next couple of months or years even when Sera had taken them to the docks

of Zephys.

For a moment, the twins have thought that it

is stolen—though Sera is quick to put that thought out of their heads by

stating that the members of Blade have helped to built it over the years. It is

likely that at some point, the members of Blade have wanted to go on some sort

of journey, and hence, had been building a boathouse for their journey—with it

having more than enough room for at least ten people; complete with supplies

and a solar panel on the roof that collects enough energy from the sun in the

daytime to have ample electricity within.

“Sera, where are we going?” Neil asked

quietly, falling in pace with Sera, with Kailey on Sera’s other side.

“We’re paying a visit to some people I know

from my Blade days.” Sera said just as quietly. All three teens were careful to

keep their voices low due to how easily voices carries in the night.

“Gifted?”

“No. They’re Normals.” Sera shook her head,

using the term that most of the Gifted use to describe those without abilities.

“But don’t worry; they’re not bad people. They helped me out during my Blade

days. You can trust them.”

Neil and Kailey exchanged looks behind Sera.

They’ve gotten a pretty good grasp on Sera’s personality over the course of a

month. She isn’t one of many words; and when she does opens her mouth,

she doesn’t really mince her words. She’ll tell them the truth, even if they

liked it or not. And from what they know of Sera, she obviously doesn’t trust

easily either; something they found surprising due to how easily Sera lets them

come with her.

Before meeting Sera, Neil and Kailey have

been getting by the skin of their teeth by stealing food from shops; and if

they could, doing odd jobs in exchange for some food or shelter. With the state

that Eldario is in right now, it isn’t too uncommon to see many people living

on the streets; with the vast majority that does that also members of street

gangs.

Sera had however taught both Neil and Kailey

what they need to know in order to survive long on the streets. She’d taught

them how to read tracks and even introduced them to a few underground

contractors that can get them jobs to earn some money. She’d even expanded on

their combat skills, telling them that there are always times when a Gifted

can’t rely on their Gifts to fight; and hence, they have to first learn how to

fight like a Normal. Sera had even taught both Kailey and Neil how to steer the

boathouse and do basic maintenance on it.

For a moment, Kailey wondered who had taught

Sera all that she knew; or if she’d picked it up on the streets. Until her

parents have died defending her and her twin from hunters when they were about

ten, they’d lived good lives. Hence why they have problems trying to survive on

the streets. Sera however gives off a similar vibe as one of those that’d lived

and grown up amongst the slums and streets—a battle hardened veteran.

And considering she’s a Gifted, and most

likely also the leader of the street gang Blade; she had to have gone through

several hardships.

They soon ventured into what must be the

commercial district of Aurora, as there are only a few shops with the lights

still turned on.

Sera lead the way to a shop that seems to be

a café of some sort—with a standing menu just standing beside the door. An

ivory plate hung above the door, with the words ‘Cross Café’ written on it in

cursive writing, with a picture of a pair of crossed knives carved into it.

As Sera pushed opened the door, a bell

tinkled somewhere in the shop, and all three entered the café, with droplets of

rainwater dripping off the ends of their hair and coats. The café owner, along

with the three occupants seated at the high counter all turned around as one

when the three teens entered, surprise written all over their faces.

Sera pulled down the hood around her head,

nodding to the occupants. “…It’s been awhile.”

“Sera!”

Neil and Kailey tensed when one of the

women—a petite woman with short black hair and eyes slipped off her stool and approached

Sera. “We heard about it from Alexis when he brought Zest to us,” she said,

scanning her eyes over Sera. “We heard what happened to Blade.”

‘Zest?’ Kailey wondered. Who is that?

“Well… A lot has happened.”

“I’m sure.” The café owner commented—a young

man probably just a couple of years older than the teens, with his dark brown

hair tied back in a pineapple style. His eyes fell onto the two behind Sera and

smiled, with it stretching the scar visible across his nose even further. “Why

don’t you three take a seat? I’ll have some coffee for you in a minute. Helps

to warm you up.”

True to his word, three cups of coffee were

soon in front of the three teens.

“So who are they?” The woman from earlier

enquired, gazing at Kailey and Neil with curiosity.

“Kailey and Neil O’Fearghail.”

Sera introduced, taking a sip from her cup at the same time. “I ran into them

nearly a month ago at Zephys.” She turned towards the twins. “I know these guys

for a few years now. They’re Normals, like I said. But you can trust them.”

“Coming

from you, Sera, that is a compliment.” The other woman commented with a grin.

In contrast to the other woman, she had dark hair that looks almost purple held

up by a headband; and her clothing is almost seductive. She turned her attention

towards the twins. “I’m Linda Henson. That is Suzy.” The woman from earlier

nodded to them politely. “Her boyfriend, Cecil Howard.” The tall, well-dressed

man waved to them on Suzy’s other side; his chocolate brown eyes kind and

gentle—and the twins can’t help but take a liking to him. “And of course,

Timo.” She gestured towards the café owner. “He owns and runs this café.”

“Timo used

to give us food whenever we’re starving and couldn’t find any when we’re

younger.” Sera told Kailey and Neil. “He used to run a café like this in

Zephys. He shut it down and moved out here a few years ago when the gang

activity in Zephys started getting out of hand.”

The twins

nodded dumbly; not knowing what to say to that.

“Karl has been searching for you, Sera.”

Cecil said quietly, careful not to attract the twins’ attention who are

currently engaging Timo in conversation. “He came by over a month ago, asking

us if we’d seen you or any of your guys. Think he heard about the attack on

Blade.”

“It’s all over the underground news.” Sera

answered. “I’ll be surprised if he hadn’t heard about it. For all that he’s

crap at taking care of himself, the one thing that that pervert had going for

him is his espionage and information gathering skills.”

Suzy and Linda exchanged looks, not knowing

what to say. “Why didn’t you let Karl know that you’re alive?” Linda asked at

last.

Sera hesitated; glancing over at Kailey and

Neil only to find that their attention is currently occupied by Timo who is

apparently demonstrating how to mix drinks together. “I can’t,” she said at

last, staring at her coffee, with her reflection within the cup staring back at

her. “The attack on Blade—it was aimed at me specifically. I couldn’t have let

anyone know that I’m still alive.”

“The survivors of your old gang does. As did

Alexis.” Cecil pointed out.

“That’s different.”

“And those two?” As one, their heads

swivelled towards the twins. “It’s a bit of a surprise to see you in the

company of others. And Gifted furthermore.”

“Well… Things happened.” Sera admitted,

picking up the spoon and stirring her coffee. “I couldn’t have left them

alone.”

Suzy had a small smile on her face as she

studied Sera. The girl had always been so standoffish and closed off to

everyone that it is hard to get a grasp on her character. But she does care about her friends.

“You sure about them?” Linda enquired with

concern. All the adults present in the café knew that Sera isn’t an ordinary

person, even when it comes to the Gifted. Unlike most in Eldario, none of the

adults have detested and hated the Gifted.

Sera stopped stirring her coffee; with how

much she had stirred, no one will be surprised to find that the coffee tastes

too sweet. “…At least they don’t mind my existence.” Sera said at last, much to

the anguish of the adults. “I’ll be laying low for awhile. As long as the ESA

can’t confirm my death or survival, I’d likely still be on their

watchlist—along with every single Gifted in the country.”

The adults exchanged looks. That is

another thing that they are concerned about.

The ESA—the Eldario Sovereign Agency;

officially the law enforcers of the nation, answering only to the High

Council—the ruling government body of Eldario. After the Gifted Enforcement Act

was passed several decades ago, the ESA had kept a watchlist on every single

Gifted in the country. The more talented and stronger ones tends to be

forcefully recruited into the ESA. The more powerful ones or those with Gifts

that even the ESA wants amongst their ranks generally tend to find themselves

on their watchlist as well without a doubt.

“Is that why you asked Alexis to bring Zest

to Suzy and Reina?” Lina asked.

“He’s still healing, Sera.” Suzy

interrupted, looking concerned. “Even I know that he’s also on the ESA’s

watchlist, for all that he isn’t a Gifted. But he’s too skilled and strong to

slip under their radar. That boy’s a fighter—just like you and the rest of

Blade. He’s going to be fine.”

“As long as I know he’s all right, it’s

enough.”

Suzy furrowed her brows. “You sure you don’t want to let him know that

you’re still alive?” she asked carefully. “During one of his lucid moments, he

always asks for you. It might help in his recovery, Sera.” Suzy pointed out. As

a doctor, she knows better than anyone else that sometimes, hope is the best

medicine for a patient.

Sera shook her head. “Their target was me,” she said. “If he knows—”

“He’s part of Blade as well, Sera.” Cecil

pointed out logically. “He’s not going to be happy once he finds out. And he’d

find you sooner or later. You know he will.”

Sera looked miserable. “I know.”

Realising that the café seemed rather quiet

all of a sudden, Sera turned towards the twins who were seated on her other

side only to find both Kailey and Neil staring at her with curiosity. “What are

you talking about?” Kailey asked.

“Nothing that you should be concerned with.”

Sera said immediately.

As one, the adults exchanged exasperated

looks over her head. Someday, Sera is going to have to learn that she can’t do

everything by herself.

Neil frowned, and was about to say something

when Timo shushed them, putting a hand up, a frown on his face.

“What?” Cecil questioned.

Sera’s eyes were trained on the door of the

café as well, a frown on her face, her head cocked to one side like she could

hear something that none of them could. “Someone’s coming,” she murmured. “I

hear footsteps. More than one person?”

Linda’s eyes widened, exchanging quick,

panicked looks with her friends. “Hide!” she hissed, immediately grabbing

Sera’s shoulder and hauling her off her stool.

“What?” Kailey was very bewildered even as

Cecil picked her up easily and forced her over the counter over to Timo’s side.

Both Sera and Neil received the same treatment.

“Quiet. Don’t make a sound!” Timo hissed, pushing

them under his side of the counter next to stockpiles of coffee powder.

“What’s going on?” Neil mouthed to Sera from

his position only to be shushed by her, his mouth covered by her hand. Kailey

received the same treatment.

“Stay quiet.” Sera mouthed back, eyes moving

from Neil to Kailey and to Timo above them. “I’ll explain later.”

There were some clattering of cups and

plates above their heads as the other occupants of the café pretended to busy

themselves with their drinks. The tension in the café is discernible, however.

And then, all three hiding teens heard the

unmistakable tinkle of the café bell, along with that of the door opening. The

three teens stared at the reflective glass of the cabinets on Timo’s side of

the counter that allows them to see the people that have just entered.

The black coats they have on were

unmistakable, including the symbol of that of a sword and shield visible on the

red armbands they have on.

‘ESA agents.’Neil summarised, immediately

understanding why they were forced under the counter and told to be quiet. ‘Probably the ‘recruiters’.’

Every single person in Eldario knew about

the ‘recruiters’ within the ESA, or even the ‘scouts’ as they were known as at

times. The ones that were wholly responsible for keeping track and watch on the

Gifted, and recruiting the more powerful ones, or even the ones that showed

some promise.

Even before their parents have passed away,

both Neil and Kailey have heard rumours of how the ESA recruited the Gifted in

their service. Not all the Gifted served them willingly. Some were forced,

blackmailed, and even coerced.

If only for the reason that the vast

majority of the Gifted in Eldario hates the ESA’s guts as they were the reason

why their lives were total hell.

Needless to say that the ESA had a really

bad reputation amongst the underground circle and the Gifted community. There

were even rumours that the ESA had a bad habit of killing a Gifted if they just

happened to catch an agent’s eye when they are in a bad mood.

“…Welcome.” Timo grunted; though with his

tone of voice, the meaning was anything but.

“Is that how you treat your customers?” One

of the ESA agents questioned.

“Paying customers, yes.” Timo emphasised

on that bit. “Not those that came by just to waste my time.”

“Bad mood today, Berger?” The other ESA

agent sneered.

Bang!

Kailey gave a start, and her yelp was

thankfully muffled by Sera covering her mouth; mismatched eyes glaring at her;

the silent message clear.

“What do you want?” Timo growled

dangerously, gripping the glass that he is currently holding onto so tightly

that his fingernails turned white.

“We heard that there are some Gifted in this

town.” The first ESA agent spoke. The three teens under the counter glared at

the reflection of the agent they could see. “We were sent to recruit them.”

“You mean coerce.” Linda sneered at the ESA

agents. “We’re quite well aware of your reputation.”

“So do you know where they are?” The ESA

agent ignored Linda, turning his attention back towards Timo. “There’s three of

them, we heard. Quite strong Gifts, as well. We feel they’re a good fit for our

organisation.”

Despite being unable to see Timo’s face, all

three teens could tell that he’s furious. “Even if I do know who those Gifted are, what makes you think I’ll tell you?”

Timo asked in a low and furious voice. Both Kailey and Neil exchanged nervous

looks over Sera’s head. He’s quite different now from the friendly café owner

who had shown them how he made the coffee that he serves. “No Gifted has been

by to visit my café recently. Please leave.”

“Really?” The other ESA agent sneered,

looking towards the seats that Sera, Kailey and Neil have been occupying

earlier. Kailey then realised that their cups were still at the counter. “You

had someone else in here apart from them?” He gestured towards Cecil, Linda and

Suzy.

“I had some customers earlier that left

before you came.” Timo lied with a straight face. “I just hadn’t cleared their

cups, that’s all.”

“At this night of night?”

“Why not? You’re here, aren’t you?”

The first ESA agent; clearly the calmer of

the two sighed, gripping his partner’s shoulder. “I can see when we’re not

welcome, so we’ll take our leave,” he said. “But Berger, you should know that

the Gifted won’t survive long on the streets by themselves; especially if

they’re children.”

“And whose fault is that?” Linda snarled.

“If you truly care about those Gifted—those

kids at all; you’ll let us know where they are.” The ESA agent continued like

he hadn’t heard Linda at all, “We’ll just be going.”

The bell tinkled again as the two ESA agents

left. For several moments, there was nothing but silence before Timo sighed. He

looked down below the counter where the three teens were hiding. “They’re

gone,” he said.

Sera, Kailey and Neil crawled out from under

the counter, returning to their original seats. “Are those ESA agents?” Kailey

enquired, looking at the door of the café warily before turning her attention

back to the adults. “What are they here for?”

“They came around here every once in

awhile.” Suzy sighed, lifting her coffee cup to her lips. “They’re part of the

squad that the ESA has to recruit the Gifted.”

“Us?” Neil guessed; but was surprised when

Timo shook his head.

“No. Not the three of you,” he said.

“There’s three other Gifted in Aurora—about your ages, I think. It’s not

something that’s widely known, however. Those of us who are aware of who they

are always kept it quiet because of the ESA and the hunters.” Timo exchanged

looks with Cecil. “They tend to come by here every few days for some food. And

now that you’ve mentioned it…” He furrowed his brows. “I hadn’t seen them for

some time now.”

“How strong are their Gifts?” Sera enquired

curiously. “Must be something if even the ESA is interested.”

“They’re Class 2 Gifted.” Suzy was the one

to answer; referring to the ranking system that ranks the abilities of the

Gifted. Class 3 Gifted were more common; whereas there aren’t many Class 2 Gifted.

Class 1 Gifted however is a rare anomaly—the most powerful of the Gifted. It is

even rumoured that one could tell a Class 1 Gifted apart from the others due to

their unusual features. “A trio of siblings. The youngest of the three, Tatius,

has complete control over earth and sand. He’s able to create and control it as

he wished. The eldest; his older sister, Claudia, could control wind.”

“The battle element.” Neil mused.

“The middle brother, Ness, could animate non-living

things.” Timo took over from Suzy. “He can make dolls come to life.” He looked

at Sera. “I met them not long after I opened my café in this town. There’s

something about them that reminds me of you. It’s probably why I tried to help them and look out for them; and even told

them to come here for food if they have to.” Timo looked guilt-ridden. “I can’t

help you and your friends, Sera. But at that time, I thought that I can at

least help them.”

Kailey and Neil looked curiously at Sera

with those words, wondering what Timo meant.

Sera said nothing before she slipped off her

stool, placing a few notes in front of her. “Thanks for the drinks,” she said. “Come

on, you two.”

The adults in the café watched even as the

three teens walked towards the door and left the café, with the bell tinkling

somewhere as they did so.

“Think Sera’s going to try to find those

three?” Cecil asked at last.

“Probably.” Timo sighed. “Aurora isn’t exactly

a safe town for the Gifted, either. And with Blade’s destruction two months

ago, the hunters are on the move once more. Eldario is a cruel world for the

Gifted.”

∞ | To seek greatness is the only righteous vengeance. - Criss Jami (Killosophy) | ∞ 

* * * *

All Rights Reserved ©

∞ | Chapter 3 | ∞

* * * *

The rain is coming down harder even as Sera, Kailey and Neil walked down the streets of Aurora, all of them careful to keep their hoods up.

Inwardly, Sera was glad for the rain, as it meant that no one will be around to witness what they’re about to do. The animosity and contempt for the Gifted community has been getting out of hand and rising steadily for the past several years—especially after the end of the last war when majority of the country’s Gifted that were of age were forcefully drafted into the army.

It is one of many reasons why there are so many orphans living in the streets, and even why majority of the Gifted have turned to crime or even joining street gangs just to survive.

The uncaring attitude and stand that the ESA and the High Council have taken towards the Gifted didn’t help any matters; and hence, the hunters that have once hunted down the Gifted are once more on the prowl.

Sera had suspected initially that Blade’s destruction might either be machinated by one of those hunters or even by the ESA themselves.

Sera stopped in the middle of Fifth Street, looking around her to ensure that there isn’t anyone around. The only lights visible are just the various street lamps all around.

Finally, Sera turned towards Neil who had been waiting quietly; merely watching her. “Do it.”

Neil nodded before putting up his right hand which glowed blue. Then, the roads of the street that they’re standing in glowed with the same colour. A flash of blue rushed throughout the roads and streets of Fifth Street, making it look out of this world. Images of cars and people flickered even as the seconds ticked past—almost like a movie on fast rewind.

Kailey watched with wide eyes. This isn’t the first time that she’d seen her twin use his Gift of course; she just don’t see Neil using it much, if at all. And she had never seen him using this aspect of his barrier abilities. Doing so might cause a death sentence for them in some cases. After all, look what had happened to their parents when someone found out from somewhere that they are Gifted?

A barrier dome went up around the areas glowing blue. Kailey reached out with her fingers gingerly to touch a Jack Terrier dog that is sniffing about without a care near her feet. Much to her surprise, her touch went right through the dog like he’s a mirage of some sort.

“They don’t really exist here, Kailey.” The baritone voice of her twin brother caught Kailey’s attention. “What I’m doing here is just watching the past—in this case, the events of the last twenty-four hours.” Neil furrowed his brows. “All right. Think I got it.”

The images around them flickered before coming to a stop. And when Sera looked upwards at the skies, it had stopped raining. It even seems to be late afternoon—near dusk; by how the sun looks.

Then, she saw them.

A brunette boy with short untidy hair held back by a dark green bandanna around his forehead peeked out from around a corner anxiously, looking left and right. He probably looks just a little older than the three of them, and had pale green eyes.

“Claudia! Tatius! Come on!” The boy—whom all three assumed to be Ness, beckoned to the two hiding behind him in the alley. The three all have different colouring—with the girl having light blonde hair, and the youngest-looking of the three having dark red hair. But it is clear that they’re siblings due to the similar looking pale green eyes all of them possessed.

The three siblings slipped out into the streets, ducking as close to the walls as possible, looking around anxiously—all with scared expressions on their faces. Sera’s eyes narrowed as she spotted the number ‘10’ tattooed on Ness’ left bicep—visible due to the tear on the sleeve of his shirt.

“What’s going on?” Kailey whispered, despite knowing logically that the three siblings can neither see nor hear them. “Why do they look so scared?”

Neil frowned. He is reminded of his and Kailey’s own situation just mere months ago before they’d met Sera. “They’re being hunted by someone or something,” he said slowly.

“What?”

There were shouts; and all three teens, along with the three siblings turned as one to see a group of three—two men and one woman heading in their direction, all of them armed to the teeth. Guns and daggers were visible on their bodies.

Sera frowned. She knew who those people are. “Hunters,” she hissed; and the twins stared at her, bewildered. Unlike Sera, they hadn’t encountered a Hunter before—one of those extremists that hunts down the Gifted.

“No! Hunters!” The only girl—Claudia, cried out.

“Run!” The youngest cried.

“You’re not getting anywhere!” Kailey had both hands covering her mouth even as she watched with wide eyes; watching as one of the hunters fired something towards Tatius’ direction, but was shoved out of the way by his older brother who collapsed immediately, with blood immediately staining and spreading across the shoulder area of his white shirt.

“Ness!” Claudia cried, dropping to her knees beside her brother, glaring up at the hunters with hatred visible in her eyes. “Tatius, apply pressure on the wound.” Tatius did as he was told, staring up at his sister before turning his attention back towards his injured brother.

“Who sent you?” Claudia hissed like an angry cat at the approaching hunters, standing in front of her two brothers in a bid to protect them. “You’re hunters, aren’t you?”

“You freaks don’t get to hear our names.” The only woman hunter sneered.

Claudia’s eyes flashed with anger and hatred. “I don’t have the time and the energy to deal with you now; but mark my words, you’ll be sorry for what you did today. I will never forget this.”

Sera narrowed her eyes when she saw Claudia hold up two fingers in front of her; with her eyes flashing red. And then, there was a gigantic gust of wind. When it cleared away, the three siblings were gone.

“Where did those freaks go to?” One of the men roared, looking all around him as if in hope to find them.

“Calm down. They can’t have gone far, not with that boy being hit by a strain from one of the poison darts.” The other man told him. He turned towards the woman who looked smug—having been the one to fire that shot earlier. “I sure don’t want to be on your bad side, Maeve.”

“That is a strain of the Morning Star poison.” Maeve said triumphantly, putting away her gun, and Sera’s eyes widened in horror with that statement. On either side of her, the twins stared at her curiously, having heard the hitch of breath from Sera. “That boy is dead either way. And then, those two will be ripe for the picking.”

Neil slashed at the air in front of him with two fingers, and the barrier fell. Kailey felt the rain pelting her once more, and turned towards Sera nervously. There is this look in her eyes that said that someone is going to die tonight. It is worse than the expression that she had when Kailey and Neil have first encountered her in the alley of Zephys over a month ago.

“…Sera?”

“We need to find them—those siblings.” Sera said, turning and walking down the street. “There’s no time to lose!”

“What do you mean?” Neil asked, jogging to keep up with her. And judging by the fact that Sera is nearly a head and a half shorter than him, that is a feat indeed.

“They used the Morning Star poison.” Sera almost growled those words out. Not far from them, a parked car rattled due to Sera’s Gift. “It’s a death sentence for anyone hit by it!”

“Do you even know where they are?” Kailey asked before Neil could ask any further.

“I have an idea.” Sera said, never breaking her stride. “If those siblings are acquainted with Timo, and trusted him and his friends; then there’s only one place in Aurora that they would go to at this point.”

* * * *

Kailey and Neil found themselves staring at a two-storey building nearly thirty minutes later, necks craned back, and squinting their eyes to try to make out the words on the sign they could read above the door.

The building seems to function as some sort of medical facility and probably also acts as the living space for the occupants.

“A clinic?” Neil echoed in confusion, reading the words ‘Sanctuary Clinic’ on the sign above the door. “A private practice?”

“Owned by someone I know and trusted, yes.” Sera answered absently, eyes scanning the streets and in the areas around them. “It’s probably the only place in all of Eldario that the Gifted can go to seek treatment.”

The Gifted community after all had their own information network—for those that lived amongst the underground long enough, that is. They probably never really knew each other—majority of them generally uses aliases and false names when operating underground as an added layer of security. But the fact is that rarely anything happens that involves the Gifted community for them to not be aware of it.

When Sanctuary Clinic had started up—being run by a mutual friend of Timo’s and Sera’s; the doctor had also let Sera know to spread the word to have Gifted come to her for treatment.

Over time, a certain procedure had to be followed for the Gifted that approached the clinic for help. Visits can only be made under the cloak of darkness, and only through the back door. This is both to protect the Gifted and even the doctor.

Because whether they liked it or not, while the clinic and the doctor could not be persecuted legally should anyone find out they’ve been offering medical services to the Gifted; it is also possible for Aurora and even the medical community to make life very difficult for the doctor and her clinic.

In the worst case scenario, the doctor might even lose her license to practice medicine legally in Eldario.

The twins followed Sera silently to the back of the building, both looking around uneasily—somehow feeling as if there are eyes on them from the darkness. They watched as Sera approached the back door of the clinic, raising a fist and knocking five times on it.

Two long knocks. Three short knocks.

‘A code of some sort?’ Kailey wondered, furrowing her brows.

There were several moments of silence and non-movement before the door opened silently a crack. A woman dressed in a doctor’s white coat stood there, her long brown hair tied back in a messy bun. Her brown eyes were tired as she gazed back at them, though there is a look of recognition as her eyes fell on Sera.

“Reina.” Sera greeted with the barest of nods. “It’s been awhile.”

“Sera. I knew that it was you.” Reina gave a small smile, eyes moving towards the twins behind Sera before she opened the door wider to admit them entry. “Come in. I’m rather busy at the moment—though if you’re here, I’m guessing that you knew what happened.”

“Well, I have someone with me that could let us ‘see’.” Sera added, glancing over her shoulder at Neil; with all three following Reina up the stairs of the clinic to the second floor. The lights were all turned off; thus, all of them were careful as they moved. “How bad is his condition?”

There is a note of finality in Sera’s voice; and the twins turned to her in surprise. They then recalled what Sera had said earlier about the poison the hunters have used: it’s an immediate death sentence if one hits you.

Reina looked over her shoulder even as she led the three teens down the darkened hallway of her clinic. Just in front of them, they could see the orange light spilling out of a room ahead.

“He’s still hanging in there. We managed to get the cure to him just in time.” Reina said, with relief almost visible in her voice.

Sera stopped dead in her tracks with that statement, and both Kailey and Neil bumped straight into her as a result. The twins barely managed to stop themselves from toppling over.

“A cure?” Sera echoed, incredulous. “I’ve never heard of a cure for the Morning Star poison before.”

Reina had a secret smile tugging at the ends of her lips. “Neither did I until I met Laura,” she said, showing the three still dumbfounded teens into the only room with the lights still turned on.

A brown haired figure—Ness was visible on the only bed in the room, clearly fast asleep, though with bandages wound around his forehead and shoulder; with an IV attached to his wrist. His two siblings were huddled together on the couch in the room, anxious and worried expressions on their faces as they gazed at their brother. A girl with black hair reaching to her shoulders and dark eyes was also present in the room; checking on the asleep Ness.

“Laura?” Reina addressed the unknown girl in the room.

“He’s asleep now. It’ll take some days for the cure to run its course before he’ll be up and about.” The girl—-Laura answered. Her eyes flickered towards Sera, Kailey and Neil. “Who are they?”

“Calm down, Laura. They mean you no harm. I know them.” Reina reassured Laura; though her eyes flickered towards Sera as she said so, tactfully not saying that she knew only one of them. She then hesitated as she looked at Sera, before the latter frowned and nodded—a silent message passing between them. “They’re Gifted. Just like you.”

With those words, every single person in the room still conscious gave a start and looked at Sera, Kailey and Neil with surprise written all over their faces. Laura however had a mixture of surprise and disbelief on her face, studying Sera carefully with a raised brow.

“Gifted?” Claudia and Tatius echoed together from the couch.

“Surely you know that you aren’t the only Gifted in this country?” Neil said almost sarcastically.

“Well yes. But most Gifted that I am aware of don’t go about broadcasting their status.” Claudia said defensively, eyes flickering towards Laura as she said so.

Sera meanwhile was ignoring the banter between Neil and Claudia. Though the fact that Claudia was well enough to banter with Neil proves that her brother is in no danger of dying. So there really is a cure for the Morning Star poison?

It’s one of the deadliest poisons ever known in Eldario, with the plant only being found growing in particularly cold climates. Several decades back—particularly around the time when the Gifted have first started being ostracised by society; the first hunters have then discovered the plant, and thus named it after a fallen angel in the ancient myths.

To this day, there isn’t a cure for the poison.

Most Gifted are generally immune to most poisons and illnesses due to their abilities. But the Morning Star poison is the one poison that they aren’t immune to. Hence why the hunters liked to use it on the Gifted so much; not only because it is an extremely deadly and fast-acting poison.

“Are you the one that healed him?” Sera asked Laura with genuine curiosity. “You created a cure for the Morning Star poison?”

“I did.” Laura nodded, a look of pride visible in her eyes. “You’re familiar with this poison?” It was a statement, not a question.

Sera closed her eyes briefly. “…I know someone who died from it,” she admitted. Make that a lot of someones.

Laura frowned, her right hand reaching to the side of her hip; upon glancing down, Sera identified the bulge of what seems to be concealed daggers or knives. “How do you know that Ness has been poisoned? To begin with, how do you even know what happened anyway?” she questioned almost threateningly.

Sera looked at Laura in the eye unflinchingly; though behind her, the twins have tensed with that threatening tone. “I heard about it from Timo,” she said simply, and Laura’s eyes widened a fraction. “And I have someone with me who can ‘view’ the past.”

Both girls held each other’s gazes for several long moments without blinking; and the entire room watched with bated breaths. Finally, Laura was the first to look away, hand falling from her side. “Forgive me. I’ve been a little high strung lately; what with all the hunters roaming Eldario in recent months.”

Sera shook her head mutely; understanding Laura’s paranoia and suspicion. She would be suspicious too, if she had been in Laura’s position. After all, even amongst the Gifted, not all of them could be trusted.

“So… Those were the hunters…” Kailey said slowly, recalling what she’d seen earlier when Neil had used his Gift. As one, every single pair of eyes swivelled towards her. “I’ve heard the rumours, but…” She trailed off slowly.

Laura and Sera exchanged glances; a silent message passing between them, and Laura gave a short nod; understanding what Sera didn’t have to say.

“The Gifted have always been abused for our abilities.” Laura sighed, sinking down into a nearby chair whilst Reina made a show of examining the still unconscious Ness. Sera meanwhile retreated to the wall by the side of the door, arms crossed. “It isn’t really uncommon. Those of us who grew up on the streets soon learned how to avoid them and keep our status as Gifted hidden. You’ll live longer if you do.” She added, and Kailey turned pale. Claudia and Tatius who were on the couch gave weak smiles with that comment. “It is also why majority of the Gifted kept within our own community, as much as we can. But these things always get out sooner or later.” She waved her hand about. “It is why for some of us, we never stayed in one place for long. Always moving. Always being on the move. Just to avoid the hunters and the worst of the haters.”

“It is why the Gifted had their own network, and even designated safe places to seek refuge or help if needed.” Claudia spoke up, eyes flickering towards her unconscious brother occasionally. “A few years ago, Zephys was one of those because of Blade.” Sera unconsciously stiffened with those words, and Laura stared at her with a raised brow. “Now I’m not so sure.”

“And this clinic?” Neil questioned.

“That’s a little complicated.” Reina was the one to speak up; having allowed the Gifted in the room to take control of the conversation. Predictably, every single pair of eyes in the room swivelled towards the female doctor who smiled, writing something on the clipboard attached at the end of Ness’ bed. “When I first started my private practice in Aurora, it was also around the time when Timo had first moved out here as well.” The twins nodded; both having heard about this bit of information earlier in the café. “As I obviously couldn’t make it public; that I’m willing to treat the Gifted, I had to resort to asking Sera to spread the word amongst her contacts in the underground.”

“Well, not all of us are lucky enough to know a Gifted with healing abilities.” Tatius grunted.

“We do have more pressing matters to be concerned with at present though.” Laura added, eyes flickering around the room.

The atmosphere became heavy.

“…The hunters.” Claudia said with a sigh.

Laura nodded. “The hunters,” she echoed. “I’ve been hearing rumours that they’re on the move once more. And it isn’t really good news for the Gifted in Eldario if so.”

“Seems like a lot of changes have been taking place within the past two months though.” Tatius said thoughtfully. “And it takes place right after Blade’s destruction.” He growled. “Wouldn’t surprise me if either the ESA or the hunters orchestrated their destruction to begin with.”

Sera’s eyes darkened considerably when she heard those words, and her right hand unconsciously covered her left wrist. She met Reina’s eyes silently at that point. The doctor hesitated, but nodded.

Sera then opened the door silently and slipped out without a word; with her actions going unnoticed by most in the room.

A pair of dark eyes watched silently as Sera made her departure.

* * * *

Once outside the back door of the Sanctuary Clinic, Sera let out a huff, seeing her breath turn white in the cold air.

“You’re going after those hunters, aren’t you?” A cool voice spoke from behind Sera. She turned over her shoulder only to see Laura standing at the entryway of the back door, her expression cool even as she studied Sera. “I’m coming with you.”

Sera stared at Laura intently without saying anything for several moments. “I work better alone,” she said at last.

Laura let out a scoff, taking her hands out from her coat pockets. “Too damn bad. I’m still coming,” she said. “Sera, right?” She poised this question to Sera, but didn’t wait for Sera to respond. “I don’t know what Gift you had, but I can tell it’s a powerful one. But even a really powerful Gifted will have problems against more than one hunter. From what Claudia could tell me, those hunters that went after them aren’t amateurs. The two you have with you likely had never met a hunter before, and didn’t know what they could be capable of. But those of us who lived and grew up amongst the streets and slums of Eldario know just what they can and will do.” Laura never broke eye contact with Sera. “You know how dangerous hunters are.”

Sera said nothing for several moments before she sighed, slumping her shoulders. “Do what you want,” she said at last, turning on her heel and walking away from the clinic. Laura’s light footsteps followed in her tracks—if not for Sera’s attuned and sharp senses due to years of spending time in the streets, she likely wouldn’t notice Laura’s presence at all. “I’m Sera Kroix.”

“Laura O’Boyle.” Laura offered her own name in return. “You can do your own thing. I’ll have your back. A hunter out in the streets—especially during these trying times, is a danger to the whole Gifted community.”

* * * *

The hunter known as Maeve sat in the only bar still opened in Aurora at this time of night, nursing her glass of ale, fingernails drumming against the surface of the counter that she is seated at. The bar is relatively empty except for her and one of her partners, and even the owner of the bar.

“He’s late.” Her male companion grunted, looking at the door before turning his attention back towards his drink. “Just how difficult can it be to hunt down three kids, Gifted though they might be?”

The fingers of the bar owner twitched slightly as he cleaned the wine glass that he’s holding with a damp cloth, but he said nothing. Maeve narrowed her eyes with this action.

The door swung opened once more.

“You’re late—”

Maeve’s eyes widened; as her vision wavered in front of her, and then, all she could see is red.

“We’re hunters—”

“They might be Gifted, but they’re still children! They’re innocent! Leave them alone—”

“Kill them all—”

“They’re abominations that shouldn’t be born—”

“Why do you hunters—you humans do these things, and make it seem so natural—?”

Maeve flinched from the onslaught of memories that flooded her brain; and then, she froze when she felt cold steel touching her throat. And from the scent coming from it, she could tell that it’s poisoned.

On the stool next to her, her partner is in the same position—frozen with terror with a dagger trained at his throat. One wrong move, and he’ll get his throat slit opened. And behind the counter, the bar owner was slumped onto the ground, unmoving.

And standing in between them with identical daggers trained to their throats is a teenager not older than fifteen at best, her black eyes glaring daggers at Maeve. And behind that girl is another teenage girl, though much more petite and shorter than the first; and with heterochromia eyes of amber and green.

“Don’t move.” The first girl warned. “One wrong movement, and it’ll be your heads rolling to the ground.”

“Took us awhile to find you. Thankfully we found this guy wandering around.” The second girl spoke, pulling up the collar of Maeve’s missing third partner from the floor whom she hadn’t noticed from the start, and throwing him onto the surface of the counter.

Their glasses were sent flying to the ground, and smashing into hundreds of pieces with that action; spilling the contents everywhere. Maeve let out a hitch of breath when she noticed the slit throat of her then missing partner, and his vacant eyes.

“You killed him?” Maeve growled. “How dare you!”

“Pot calling kettle, don’t you think?” The first girl sneered, eyes flickering from one to the other. “You killed enough of ours. We’re just returning the favour.”

‘Our own’? It only took a moment for Maeve to register those words before she realised who these two girls are. Or what they are.

“Gifted.” Maeve’s partner had obviously came to the same conclusion, growling low in his throat from where he’s still being held with a dagger to his throat.

“Got it right in one.” The second girl said simply. “You hunters need to start learning that we won’t just roll over and let you do what you want. If you think that, you got another thing coming.”

Maeve’s eyes roved towards the direction of where the unconscious bar owner is. “Did you kill him too? And you bunch of freaks wonder why we hunt you down.”

“He’s not dead.” The second girl interrupted, rolling her eyes. “Unlike you hunters, we don’t hurt the innocent. I merely…let him see a good dream.”

“You Gifted are just abominations of nature!” Maeve’s partner growled. “You shouldn’t exist!”

Killing intent filled the entire bar that for a moment, Maeve found it difficult to breathe. Then, she froze when she felt the dagger pressing harder against her throat that just slight movements will nick the skin.

“Is that all you got to say?” The first girl questioned coolly. “If so, send our regards to the queen of the underworld.”

Simultaneous thuds resounded even as the two hunters collapsed to the ground; eyes wide opened in shock, and with a deep gash visible on their throats.

Laura cleaned the blood off her daggers before placing them back within her pouches. She looked at Sera who looked nonchalant. “I can see why you don’t want anyone to come with you,” she said. She doesn’t know the Black siblings and even the two who have came with Sera very well; but even Laura could see that they likely had never been forced to kill before. “Though they’d likely be forced to do it before long.”

Most Gifted were normally forced to kill someone at some point in their lives, even if it is done in defence of their own lives.

Sera said nothing, nudging at the body of the female hunter with the toe of her boot.

“Why are you doing this for them? For Claudia and her brothers?” Laura questioned. “I don’t understand. You barely knew them.”

Sera’s eyes flickered towards Laura. “If we don’t stand up and protect our own, who is going to do it?” she questioned simply.

“Not many will in this day and age.” Laura admitted. “It’s a struggle for us to survive, let alone stick our necks out for others.”

“Well, someone else should.” Sera said, turning to leave the bar; with Laura falling in step behind her. “Enough people are dying each day from the decisions and actions of morons. If we don’t protect our own,” Sera turned to look over her shoulder at Laura, opening the door of the bar as she did so; with a bell tinkling somewhere, “who is going to?”

* * * *

Sera liked the sea.

Probably, it is a side effect of having spent her time in Zephys that is really a seaside town. But as Eldario is mostly surrounded by the sea, it is pretty convenient to get to town to town via boat.

Hence, she found herself seated at the pier not far away from where she’d docked her boathouse, uncaring of the dark and the cold, merely watching the dark waves, and listening to the soothing sounds of the sea.

Her ears pricked up when she caught the sound of light footsteps; and on instinct, her hand fell to her side.

“You’d catch your death of cold if you sit out here like that.” Laura warned, before taking a seat beside Sera. The latter only shrugged, not replying. Laura hesitated before speaking once more, “The poison has worked its way out. Ness is going to be fine. Reina said he’s going to make it, and that he’ll likely wake in the next couple of days.”

Sera felt the tension in her shoulders relaxing with those words.

When she and Laura have returned from their little ‘quest’, neither of them had said anything, but she is certain that Kailey and Neil, and even Claudia and Tatius, and most likely Reina, have all known what they have done.

There is this look of approval and relief in the eyes of two of the Black siblings. And even Kailey and Neil seemed relieved. If only so that they don’t have to fear the hunters roaming about in Aurora for now at least.

Laura peered at the dark waves, feeling herself relaxing the way she always did whenever she’s near water—probably a side effect of her having the Gift that she did.

“You know, my older brother is a Gifted as well.” Laura started off the conversation, “He held the same Gift over water that I did.” Laura stared down at the fingertips of her right hand. “But somehow, when we’re children, the hunters found out about it. Our parents refused to give us up, and no one else in the village that we lived in knew our status as Gifted. As a result, in a bid to get rid of us, the hunters used the Morning Star poison and poisoned the village’s water supply.” She looked at Sera only to see a flicker of what seemed like anger cross her face, and she gave a small smile. “It was really horrible. The way all of them died. But I managed to escape the death sentence they inflicted on the entire village. My parents on the other hand wasn’t so lucky. Not sure about my brother though. For all I know, he’s dead. Or even enslaved by the ESA.” Laura bit on her lower lip. “It’s why I tried so hard to find cures to poisons that the ESA and the hunters liked to use so much. If only…so that none would share their fate.”

“…Morning Star.” Sera said at last, her voice hoarse. “It’s a terrible weapon in the wrong hands.”

“It’s that poison!”

“What did they do to you?”

“…The Morning Star poison. There is no cure.”

“Do something!”

“Save him! Please!”

“You want a demon. I’ll show you one—”

“SERA!”

Sera gave a start even as she felt a hand clamped down on her arm, and she turned only to meet Laura’s concerned eyes. She then blinked when she looked around the surroundings only to see several pebbles, leaves and even things like twigs and pieces of trash nearby all hovering in the air.

Sera gave a hitch of breath before she willed them all back down to the ground.

“…Sorry,” she murmured, even as Laura took her hand off Sera’s arm.

Laura looked around their surroundings, blinking multiple times as if not being able to believe her eyes, before turning back to Sera. “You’re telepathic,” she stated, more than questioned. “I can see why you didn’t let anyone know. And why you didn’t say what Gift you had. It’s a rare and coveted Gift, even amongst the Gifted. And more so amongst the ESA.”

Sera said nothing to that, but Laura took it in stride. Just her few interactions with her fellow Gifted had made it obvious that Sera is one of few words.

Laura’s eyes flickered towards Sera’s left wrist; where she could vaguely see a small tattoo of a blade on her underwrist. “I had my suspicions when Zephys was mentioned, and I saw how you reacted,” she said simply. “I know a street gang member when I see one. You’re one, aren’t you? I’m guessing one of the more prominent ones. And with that tattoo…” Laura trailed off slowly. “Blade. Probably their leader?”

Sera’s lips quirked slightly. Most street gangs in Eldario has their own symbol, and their members generally decorated their own bodies with the symbol—something to do with gang pride.

It’s no different with Blade.

“I had mine in a less conspicious place.” Sera said at last. “Some of my guys didn’t.”

Which at the moment, probably wouldn’t be good, seeing as how the entire country is on the lookout for survivors.

Laura pressed her lips together, but said nothing. Despite everything, she was never part of the underground or even the street gangs, though she knew how it works, and the ins and outs of the underground. Most Gifted often retreated underground just to survive after all.

“I heard about it from Claudia and Tatius.” Laura said instead. “And no doubt that Ness will agree once he wakes up and heard the whole story.” Sera spared her a questioning glance. “They said that they’re going with you.”

“Well, I guessed as much, from how much they’re chattering on with Neil and Kailey when we’ve returned earlier.” Sera shrugged. “And honestly, I can’t really leave them alone. I doubt they even knew how to survive in the underground or the streets, and how to hide from hunters now that they’re on the move once more. If I don’t look out for them, they’ll probably end up dead by the end of the month.”

“I know I asked this before. But why did you help them?” Laura was honestly curious. “Why did you risk so much just to help people who are strangers to you? Neil and Kailey told me what happened with them as well. They said you helped them.”

Sera finally turned to look at Laura dead in the eye. And something in her different coloured eyes caused Laura to freeze. There is something that seems so dead within it. Like Sera had seen or even been to Hell, and back again.

“…Because no one helped me when I needed it,” she said at last. “No one came for me. No one cared even when I was hurting and in pain. I was all alone. Until Blade.” She pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her chin atop it. “Leroy and Alisa were the first. Then it was Lleucu and Wes. Then the others. Then Zest. In the beginning, I just wanted to create a place where we can belong. We’re misfits. All of us. And yet, somehow, we just fit so well with each other. Some of us were Gifted. Some were Normals. But in the end, we just wanted a place where we can call home. However…” Sera trailed off, feeling a lump in her throat. “I was a terrible leader,” she admitted.

Laura said nothing, letting Sera talk. She likely had never spoken about this to anyone before. How long has she been bottling it all up like this? Who does she have now that Blade…is no more? How long has she been alone? How did she survive this long by herself? How on earth did she even keep her sanity?

Sera let out a huff of bitter laughter. “I just went about doing whatever I wanted. And before I knew it, we became known. A legend. We were strong. All of us good friends. The best of friends. Family. We got overconfident. Or rather, I did. That’s why, when the attack happened, I couldn’t do anything at all. I couldn’t save them,” she admitted. “And then, it was when I realised…just how important they were to me. They put their lives in my hands. Their trust. And I failed them. I was a damn fool.” Sera chuckled bitterly, wiping her hand down her face. “I have no idea what I’m even doing now, for the past several months. Doing things like this—saving Kailey and Neil, helping Claudia and her two brothers… Almost like it’s to compensate for my own short-comings. My own failures. For what I couldn’t do for my people. When really…all I ever wanted…is to save them.”

Forgive me, Laura could almost hear Sera’s heart crying out those words. All that she wanted is to be forgiven. But is there really anything to be forgiven for to begin with?

“You know, I wasn’t really involved much with the underground and the street gangs.” Laura said at last. “But even I’ve heard of the rumours about Blade and their leader. All those in the underground agreed on one thing—that you’re a good leader. One of the best. You actually gave a damn about your people’s lives. Your people are fiercely loyal to you. They loved you. Probably still do. Do you think they would have done all this—giving their own lives up for you if they don’t? If you’re truly a bad leader, you wouldn’t have cared that they died for you. But you do.” Laura gave a small smile. “That tells me that you’re different. And there’s something about you that makes me want to follow you. I feel as if by doing that…I can find the answer to a question I’ve been asking all my life.”

“Go with her, Laura. Living as a fugitive isn’t ideal for you.”

Reina had told Laura that.

Sera stared at Laura for a long time without saying anything at all. Finally, she sighed. “I guess you want to come too when we leave Aurora?” she asked almost tiredly.

“Yes.” Laura said with a bright smile. “And I’ll find you anyway, even if you try to leave me behind. Water is my domain. I can find anyone on it.”

And seeing as how Sera’s main mode of transportation at the moment is a boathouse, there really is nowhere for her to run from Laura.

Sera sighed.

“We should head back anyway.” Laura said, getting to her feet slowly; easing the kinks out of her legs. The first rays of dawn are just peeking over the horizon. “Not a good idea to be out in the streets right now. Never know if there might be more hunters on the prowl.”

Sera dusted imaginary dust off her clothes as she got to her feet, looking thoughtfully at the sea before turning on her heel. “You know, I wonder how much simpler it would be if none of us were ever Gifted,” she said.

Laura shrugged. “I guess we’ll never find out,” she admitted.

Sera said nothing even as she turned to leave. Laura fell into step behind her as they made their way back to the clinic. And for some reason, Laura wonders why it felt so right to follow.

* * * *

Sera stood outside the door of Reina’s office, hesitating. The other occupants of the clinic are likely still asleep. Laura is probably having a bite to eat, or even catching up on some sleep.

“Don’t you want to see him?” A voice spoke, and Sera turned only to see Reina behind her, tying her hair up in it’s usual bun. She likely had just woken, and is currently on her way to check on Ness.

Sera frowned. “How is he?” she asked.

“In a healing sleep.” Reina answered. “It’s the best thing I can do for him right now. Honestly, with all his injuries when Alexis first brought him to me, it’s a miracle that he’s still alive.” She admitted. “It’s probably his own willpower and stubborness keeping him alive at that time. Whether he’ll wake or not is up to fate.”

Sera hesitated. “Does Laura…?”

“She doesn’t know.” Reina shook her head immediately. “It’s why I had Zest in my office instead of the infirmary area, as per your request that no one knew about him. I’ll hide and protect him, Sera. You have my word.”

Sera inclined her head to Reina appreciatively. While she could really approach Suzy for help, given that she offered medical services to the underground, and thus, will know how to tackle more serious injuries; it’s precisely because she also works amongst the underground that it runs a risk of accidentally revealing Zest’s survival to the underground.

“Just five minutes.” Sera said at last, looking at the closed office door, and back to Reina who nodded.

“Take all the time you need.”

Sera gave a small smile before she opened the door to Reina’s office and stepped in, closing the door behind her.

Reina had obviously shifted her desk to take up as less space as possible to accommodate the hospital bed in there, along with the necessary medical supplies to treat the comatose patient currently lying in the bed. An IV was hooked up by the side, with it being attached to the wrist. The curtains were partially opened, thus allowing sunlight to stream in. Sera even saw a familiar black raven perched on the back of the chair in the room.

It let out a slight caw when it saw her, and Sera smiled.

She crossed the room slowly, approaching the patient in the bed who is breathing gently, bandages visible around his neck and lower arms. There is even gauze covering his left cheek. Bandages were wound around his forehead as well, making his dark hair stick out untidily.

“Zest…” Sera murmured, running her fingertips gently over his hand, careful not to touch the IV and the bandaged areas. She gave a small smile. “It doesn’t matter…as long as you survive,” she whispered. “I don’t care about anything else. Just survive. Live. It’s all I ever wanted.” She took a step backwards from the patient in the bed, and turned her attention to the raven who is watching her intently with intelligent dark eyes. “Take care of him for me, Hugo,” she told the raven who cawed in response.

The office door swung shut behind Sera silently.

And in the bed, with the sunlight gently shining its morning rays on the patient, fingers twitched.