Scars of the Fallen

Chapter 1

Lizelle sits on the cold rock staring up at the pendulum admiring the beauty of it. The pendulum stands still, but during training it moves swiftly back and forth. With one misstep you could be injured in a way that negates the very thing your being trained for. You could develop a scar that is unable to be hidden and then you would be no help to the colony.

Growing up everyone in the colony is trained this way since it is not just a matter of you surviving, but it is a matter of humanity continuing to exist.

Taking in a deep breath, she glances down at her mother's sword. She stole it from one of the fallen before she passed. It is the one legacy she has left of her since even photos are not something that is considered necessary. If something is not necessary, it is not kept as it can slow you down.

The sword bares the mark of the of the angels, but it glistens with gold down both sides. She pulls the blade out of the sheath and pivots the point back and forth in the dirt. As she observes it, she contemplates what the outside will be like, since today is the day she will get to go out to become a gatherer.

"Hey, are you ready for your big day?" Mia enters the training room in such a stealth mode, Lizelle is almost startled. Being in a trance like that is something she can not afford outside the caves. The moment gives her heart a tug on whether she is truly ready for this.

Though she doesn't let her emotions show, that is another thing she has been trained on, "Well, I guess we will see!" A bright smile gleams on her face as she pings her gut with uncertainty.

Mia would have been perfect for gathering. She is quick, calm and one of the best fighters of her age group. Though, the claw marks forming a diagonal silhouette over her face is the one thing that angels don't have.

Scars.

The only place they have any resemblance of a scar is right in the shoulder blades where their heavenly wings were ripped from them and they then became the fallen.

Lizelle has a scar of her own. It happened the same time as Mia but hers can be hidden. It's just a small sheading on her wrist.

Lizelle holds guilt over that day. Knowing it was her idea to leave the caves. Though, Mia always gleams at her with love acting as if she is perfectly calm having been switched to medicine and treatment, which made Lizelle admire her even more.

Mia's chesnut eyes soften knowing what Lizelle isn't letting by. "You are more ready then you think."

Lizelle starts to warm and have a sense of relaxation only her good friend could bring. Everything is calm.

A deep voice interrupts the serenity, "I don't know. If I remember correctly. You weren't much of a fighter. I beat you at every turn." A slick smile spreads over his devious face as he leans on wall of the tunnel entrance to the training room.

"How about we see what happens." Lizelle unsteaths her sword and charges him. His mouth gapes open for a split second but then his eyes flash with excitement and he blocks her with his sword with a clang.

"Oh I've missed our quarrels."

They do a dance of swords back and forth taunting each other.

"This is a waste of your energy. Both of you need to save it for going out today." Mia voice is stern but still has the kindness of an angel.

"Oh come on, we are just having fun!" Zachary's golden brown eyes flash.

"Mia is right. You are going to need to save your energy." The gruff voice of a man who has seen many battles appears in the tunnel now. His emerald eyes catching with Lizelle's same eyes, except the deepness of them shows they have seen more tragedy and hold a deep wisdom. Its why her father was named the leader of the group of 5. Also known as the leaders of their colony.