The Truth Hurts

Chapter 1

       There I was mid fight, my opponent armed with a long bronze sword, messy jet black hair unevenly cut, a small cut on his cheek turning his light skin different shades of pink and red. And me with a silver sword my long dark chocolate brown hair disheveled, the small spray of freckles across my nose now barely distinguishable with the dirt smeared across my face. We were at a clearing in the forest. Darkness closing in around us as the sun sets.

     "My you're out of practice Mare," Said Enzo, my opponent. I rolled my eyes in annoyance as Enzo continued talking. We were now circling each other, not breaking eye contact. My breath, heavy from exhaustion.

     "What a fascinating name, Mare, Doom. You know my name, Enzo, means ruler. Very powerful, isn't it?"

     I knew what he was doing, he had taken note that I was tired and was trying to distract me. I couldn't give in.

     "You've told me this thousands of times, Enzo." I was starting to get annoyed with him, could he not shut up for five seconds? I swung my sword at his hand with all the strength I could muster while he was off guard, causing him to drop his sword, as I cried out in victory and exhaustion.

     "Mare! Be quiet, he might hear us." Enzo whispered, holding his hand that had a small cut on it over my mouth. I knew he was talking about Abel.

      Abel had dark brown hair like mine but pale skin like Enzo. Able was like our older brother, we weren't quite a family, at least not blood related. Abel was 19, the oldest out of the three of us. I was the youngest and just turned 13 making Enzo 15. We lived on the run, never stayed in one place for too long. Abel had run away from the orphanage at age 7.

      Enzo had been abandoned on the steps of the same orphanage when he was just a baby because his parents couldn't take care of him. Abel had found him hanging out with some unruly kids. Enzo had been able to get along with anyone. Abel had made sure he didn't get into trouble and when he was unfriended Abel spent time with him and made sure that he was always happy.

      Eventually they decided to run away.

     Enzo and Abel never really cared about their old family's because I was their family now their one goal was to keep me safe. I never understood why it was their main goal to keep me safe and I didn't really know about my past because the boys never told me about it, but I assumed that I was abandoned and they found me when they ran away.

     Me and Enzo snuck back to camp as quietly as we could. I walked over to the bucket of water we had to wash my face as Enzo washed his cuts. I knew he had let me win; he was a much better swordsman than that. Then all of a sudden Abel came running to us with an angry expression plastered across his pale face. We weren't allowed to be out after dark and we were supposed to be at camp before sundown.

     "Enzo! What were you thinking, bringing Mare out after dark!"

     I hated how whenever something happened Abel was always blaming it on Enzo, never me and I was sick of it. I was the youngest, yes, but I was also the most capable out of our trio. I stood there and looked from Enzo who looked ashamed, to Abel who was staring at Enzo in wait of response with a stern face.

     "I'm sorry Abel, I just-." That was it, after years of this happening I just cracked.

     "It was my idea too! I'm sick and tired of you always yelling at Enzo. I'm 13 and I should be able to do things now. I'm not some incompetent 8 year old. I want to do something like you guys. I want to go out and explore. I'm tired of staying at camp with nothing to do while you're out there having fights and quests and whatever!" I shut my mouth quickly and looked down more than ashamed of my sudden outburst. "I'm sorry I just, I'm tired of the fighting." I whispered, still looking down. Enzo and Abel looked at each other then me. "Mare. I think we need to talk." Abel said little above a whisper. We walked to the fire without exchanging one word. I went to the fire and threw a log on to keep it burning and sat down near the fire. Enzo walked up behind me. "Mare?" He sounded worried and it scared me he was never worried he was strong. He never let anything bother him. Abel came and sat next to me and Enzo did the same. I looked up at them and I guess my fear showed in my eyes.

     "Look, M. It's ok I understand. Why don't I tell you a story, hmm?" I looked at Abel and nodded as I rested my head on Enzo's shoulder.

     "Once there was a little girl whose parents had died and when she was no more than 2 she was blessed by the goddess of witchcraft, Lydia. This little girl could be the most important person of her time, she could do mysterious things and save people's lives but could also bring upon terrible fate to those who hurt her and can cause devastating disasters around her when in pain. Two men found her and took her to their home, keeping her safe from any harm."

     "They had heard about the girl's power and wanted to keep her safe, alive and well. Little did they know that the god of destruction and wretchedness, Desdemona was after her, trying to get her on her side." I looked at Abel as a hint that I wanted him to continue, I may be 13 but a good story never has an age limit. Enzo had started to continue the story.

     "The two men kept her safe from harm and raised her as if they were her parents. She grew up to be a beautiful young woman, but she longed for adventure. The men were afraid that if they let her go something would happen and they wouldn't be able to help." They both went silent. I lifted my head from Enzo's shoulder. I opened my mouth to say something but a sudden realization washed over me and I looked down and stared at the floor.

   Without looking up I whispered. "It's me, isn't it? The girl in the story?"

*Authors note* um hi! Im Chloe but you can call me Ace iv'e been working on this story for a while its all saved in my drafts already but i'd love any criticism or suggestions to make it better.i hope your enjoying the story so far. This chapter has 1118 words. Thank you for reading  bye loves! <3