Lightstringers

Chapter Twenty-Three: Sometimes Secrets save Lives

 Jade stiffen and stopped patting me. She pushed me away from her to look me in the eyes. "Are you serious?" she asked. "Yes! Yes, it is! I will miss you! I will miss Linda. I- I- I will miss Brian!" I sobbed into her shoulder. "How- how can this happen?" she asked her tone slighted changing. "She told me yesterday. I couldn't bring myself to tell Brian. I couldn't Jade!" "Why? Why didn't you tell him?" she cried. "I will become a burden to him. I know Brian. He'll think it's his fault that I died. Do you think I would want that for him?" I shouted. "I-." We were interrupted by a knock on the door. I looked at Jade then at the door. "Who- who is it?" I asked, trying to gain control of my sobbing. "It's Brian. Could you please open up?" I looked at Jade and widened my eyes. "Please, please! I beg of you. Don't tell him. Ha? Please," I begged. Jade looked at me then nodded. I wiped my tears quickly then opened the door.

"Were you just crying?" he asked. "No?" I answered. "Alice! Your face is red and covered with tears?! What happened?" he asked as he hugged me. "I'll- um. Nothing. I just remembered my parents while I was talking to Jade." "Jade is here?" "I'm here!" shouted Jade. "Come to the think of it? You didn't tell me about your parents?" I asked as I walked back to my bed. "Oh! Where do I start?" he asked as he looked between Jade and I. "My mum was the most beautiful woman the world. She had these green eyes! That would just bewitch anyone! Her jet black hair! She'd always braid it. I remember where Jade and I always pulled her from her hair," he laughed. "Why would you that?!" I chuckled. "I don't know?! A habit?" he laughed. "And dad was tall, so tall that he would stand in front of me, his shadow would cover me whole. His hair looked exactly like Brian's! Actually, Brian looks exactly like dad. Well? Minus dad's blue eyes," laughed Jade. "Wow! You guys had wonderful parents," I smiled.

"Yeah. That was until they traveled," sighed Brian. "When- um. When did they, you know?" I asked, unsure. "Remember the yolimers' hiding place?" asked Brian. "Yeah?" "My parents used to take us there every Saturday. We went to picnics there and we used to just sit until the sunsets. Until one Saturday. A group of Shadows trailed us and attacked us there. Mum and dad screamed at us to run and we did. But only if we stayed a bit longer and helped them to kill the Shadows! Maybe- maybe we'd know where they fled to!" sighed Brian. "How do you know they're not dead?" I asked. "Because they send us every year a letter," answered Jade. "It's my fault," whispered Brian. "Brian? It's not your fault!" said Jade. "It is! It is my fault! I'm the older sibling! I should've never left them! I should've fought alongside them!" he shouted. I hugged him then said, "Shhh! It's okay. It's not your fault. We'll make those Shadows pay? Okay?" He looked deeply into my eyes then nodded.

I let him go then said, "Let's go to train!" I changed into blue yoga pants and a white crop top hoodie. As we walked the corridors. People greeted me. "Good morning Alice!" "How are you Alice?" "Way to go Alice!" "You're my role model Alice!" These were some of the things that I heard that day. "Um-. Brian? What's happening? Why are they acting like that?" I whispered. "Because you're a pulight?" he whispered back. "But that doesn't make sense?! They know I was a pulight from the first attack!" "Well. From the first attack, they were scared of you, but then in the second attack you showed them who you are." "What do you mean?" "You helped them in the attack. You tended their wounds. You did everything to make sure everyone was safe and sound, isn't that right?" "Well, yeah?" "There you go! You earned their respect." He smiled. By that time, we arrived at the playfield. "How do you want to do it? With weapons or without?" asked Brian.

"Well, I was thinking of battling Jade?" I smirked. Jade looked at me then said, "You sure? I can a bit harsher than Brian." "Oh please! Just get in here!" I said as I waved at her. I weaved my dagger and did a replica to the other hand, while Jade lightstringered her sword. We took our places and stood there waiting for one of us to start. Jade started first. She rushed at me. She dipped and weaved right as she was about to reach me. She the slashed downwards with all her mighty the sword. I was quick to defend myself but the blade clashed against the daggers with a shriek that sent sparks flying into the air. Jade was quick and uppercut slashed hand to hand at me. I sidestepped to the right just enough as the blade passed by my eyelashes. Quickly, before Jade could respond with a follow-up, I swiftly punched Jade by the hilt of my dagger then punched her right in her windpipe knocking the wind out of her. She stood there stunned and coughing for a brief moment. "What? Am I too much for you?' I joked. "Never!" she answered as she regain her posture.

The fight was so intense that we travelled all the way to the end of the field. Jade was still open for more attacks though and I was not to give up easily. The quick blow had opened me up for another attack and Jade obliged me by putting a simple sidekick into my stomach, doubling me over. The crowd that was watching our fight let out a collective wince for the blow. "Alice! Get up!" shouted Brian. I got up and spat some blood. She gave me an apologetic shrug then smirked at me. I stood there again and changed my weapon. I changed it into a mace. The irregularly-shaped mace head is small. The bronze handle was 30cm long with a diamond encrusted grip. A gasp was spread among the crowd. I didn't give them any mind then went on with our training. Eventually, Jade and I would become equal as none of us could take the other's weapon. After we were done, we looked at the crowd that was watching us. "Alice?! Do- how-?" asked one of the lightsringers. "How what?" I asked oblivious.

He pointed to the mace, only nowthat Jade and Brian took notice of what I was holding. "It's the Deadrose!"whispered Jade. "The Deadrose as in the first Light weapon?" I asked as Jadenodded. "How did you do it?" asked Brian. "The last book I read said thatpulights can create any weapon? I wanted a weapon to express my anger and hereI have it?" I smiled awkwardly. "That's amazing! Way to go!" exclaimed anotherlightstringer. "Oh no! It's not wonderful when the world is on your shoulders,"I chuckled. "We'll be here to support you Alice!" they shouted. "I know! That'swhy I will thank each and every one of you after this war is over! Come on!Let's go eat!" I smiled. "If only you guys knew what I go through daily. Youwouldn't want to live this life!" I thought behind my smile.