Alex Crane

Chapter 5

I picked up my sword which was lying beside me and got on my feet for the third time. I held my place and took my stance, I was bleeding all over, the cuts weren't deep but they didn't stop being an obstruction. My opponent charged towards me once again and the moment I was in his radar he swung his blade, countering his blow with mine I asked, "You had so many chances to win this duel, any specific reason for wasting them?" in reply all I could see was his smile and all I could hear was his silence. The very next moment I saw his smile fade away as his eyes shifted their vision to something beyond me for a second and back to me, something changed, which I could see it in his eyes. He shifted his legs, pushing me back he kicked me on the chest. I couldn't understand if I was losing my strength or he was just playing with me till now, his kick sent me flying a few meters away from him. The second I came to a halt I could already see his sword against my throat, my eyes widened after witnessing his agility, how can someone be so quick? I asked myself unaware of what was going around me, the crowd roared as the duel came to an end.

"It won't be long for our paths to cross again Crane. Now run home." He said as he walked away from me.

I tried to stand up but my bones and muscles being unsupportive of the thought I just had to lay there till the guards carry me down to the medical room. I was out of the tournament but for some reason I wasn't sad.

I was carried to the medical room where a healer with his medicinal herbs was ready to treat me. It didn't take much time to dress up my cuts as they weren't deep. Soon I found myself on the path leading towards my house. My body was still aching it was still not so feasible for me to walk, I somehow was dragging myself trying to reach home where mom would heal me properly. MOM!? oh no no no I looked at myself again from bottom to top, bandages and bandages and bandages!! Mom's going to kill me, now what Alex!! Quick think of something! what am I supposed to do now? what am I going to tell her! would she believe me if I tell her that I ran into a wild animal but fortunately a hunter saved me by killing the beast? Yes, that would make sense because carnivores are not so rare to run into. If she asks about bandages then I'll tell her the hunter did them I slowly walked home afraid of mom, thinking how she would react, doubting my lame story, thinking if she would believe it or not. Finally, after a few minutes of dragging myself, I could see my home in distance, on sight of which I kind of felt a joy in my heart but also a fear of getting scolded. I managed to reach the gate and as I neared the gate a chill ran through my body. What was that? I ran to the door ignoring the state of body, I could sense danger around, why? I didn't know. I reached the door and saw it was open already. I barged in "MOM!?" just to see a messed-up scene, the vases on the ground; broken, drawers open, windows broken, clothes on the ground, everything was destroyed, suddenly I heard something falling from my mom's room, I immediately drew my sword and tip toed to her room and "Mommm!!" I screamed and ran to the body lying on the ground covered in blood, I fell on my knees, "M...M...Mom!" I stuttered, why is she covered in blood? "Mom!? what happened?" I gently shook her head by cupping her cheek when I pulled her on my lap. "Mom?" I said in a hushed tone.

"Alex!" she whispered as a smile appeared on her face. "Find Zikan"

"but mo....." before I could finish she cut me in the middle, "I love you Alex" she exhaled and hence marking her last words, she disintegrated into a golden ash and dissolved in the air.

I was not able to comprehend what had happened. It was a dream I thought, trying to wake up but only to realize it wasn't a dream. When the realization hit, my eyes filled in an instant, streaming down my cheeks, my tears knowing no limit just kept on shedding, my body went numb, mom's dead. All there was left with me was sixteen years' worth memories of her. She had now become a mere thought. Suddenly my eyes went on a relic laced with a thread making it feasible to wear as a necklace