Era of Ezri

Unfortunate circumstances

Turns out we weren't walking into the depths of hell, oh no, we were walking into the devil's lair. Haku's large hand was wrapped tightly around my wrist as he pulled me along and after walking over more bumpy cobbled ground we arrived at a small village resembling a settlement that couldn't be any bigger than the farm on the Truman's property.
The houses here were square brick structures the size of sheds with two doors on opposite sides of the tiny homes and only two windows.

At the heart of the camp was a large bonfire surrounded by rows of stones in a circular formation, the flames were red and furious but enough of a distance from the homes not to pose a threat. However, the heat of it nipped at your skin and even from a distance its colour was so vibrant it temporarily blinded your sight when looking at it.

Whoever was cursed enough to live in a place like this certainly wasn't receiving any visitors.

"What are we doing here?" I asked Haku as he brought us to one of the lifeless huts, "I hope you aren't planning to sacrifice me to the ghosts dwelling here."

"If I wanted you dead, I could simply throw you into the bonfire and watch you burn like your dearest Commander would.

It's clear the animosity between Blaze and Haku, even years after, shone just as bright as it had done eight years ago.

I wish I could've jumped to Blaze's defence but, it would reveal too much and too little all at once. My heart was lost in the depths of the fiery leader's flames, especially after he sent Samson to retrieve me; however, I knew nothing about the fearless Commander.

I'd only seen him once and within minutes he'd murdered a man before nearly a thousand people, whom he'd forced to come to an execution.

The question sat heavy on my chest, did I really know Blaze?

Haku, heavy-handedly knocked on the weathered slab of wood that made up the door, whoever or whatever was inhabiting this tired home, even deaf would know the Commander of Offrost had arrived.

I heard hobbling and heels clicking against the floor before a shrivelled woman whose appearance freakishly mimicked that of the lady who's taken our stallion, opened the door.

Her expression didn't change when she saw the two of us standing on her makeshift porch, but, when her gaze landed on Haku, the grey of her irises flickered to black.

She was not happy to find the Dark Commander knocking on her door, regardless, she took two steps backwards and welcomed us in with a slight nod.

Finally, Haku removed his hand only to place it against my lower back as he gently pushed me into the house.

The woman's home was exactly what I'd expected. It had miserable terracotta walls, a single rocking chair and a tiny kitchen with the simplest of tables and a small cooker with only a single hob just a couple of feet behind it. This was the definition of lifeless.

"What the hell are we doing here?" I asked again.

A large pot sat on the stove, deathly black and crusted in what I assumed was grease.

"You'll find out soon enough,"

Finally, the smell of whatever was bubbling in the large pot hit me. Although subtle, it was impossible to mistake the smell of death.

As we reached the table, I noticed the large knife sitting on it, it was rustic in its appearance as though it was homemade. The handle was wooden whilst the blade looked like it was carved from bone.

"I'd rather you tell me," I replied as I glared at the man in black.

"I already know what brings you here, Commander of Offrost," the older woman muttered "Everything is prepared,"

"Getting used to my visits, Jun," Haku replied, almost jokingly.

"I have yet to become accustomed to welcoming murderers into my home, so no."

Finally, someone who disliked Haku just as much as me.

"This is Ezri," Haku introduced me.

I attempted to smile but could only manage a grimace.

"What trouble caused you to become tangled up with a demon?" She said as though Haku wasn't in the room with us.

"Wrong place, wrong time," I answered.

"Our camp will pray for you," Jun promised before scooping up the knife.

Before I could flinch, Haku's hands gripped my shoulders tightly, preventing me from moving.

"Please don't do this!"

This would be my second time experiencing death, yet it was just as terrifying as the first.

As much as I struggled, the lady still approached with the knife in her hand and I could simply do nothing.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, waiting for the blade to pierce my flesh and tear through, muscle and arteries but I felt nothing.

Maybe the blade's sharpened edge had prevented me from feeling any pain and my head was already severed from my head from my body.

"You took off too much," Haku said.

"I took what was needed," The ghoulish woman replied, "It will grow back."

"You can open your eyes now," Haku whispered, but the proximity made it that much louder.

I cautiously peeked out from behind my lashes and skimmed my fingers along my neck.

I looked down at my fingers and saw nothing, no blood staining my skin, just a normal clean hand. However, I noted the bizarre woman had a lock of my hair between her fingers.

"You cold-hearted bastard," I snapped at Haku.

I thought I was dead.

"Watch your tone," He replied.

"Or what, you'll kill me,"

It was clear Offrost's Commander did not want me dead, he was playing a game much crueller. He was treating me like a rodent, toying with his food and seeing how much I could take before I broke.

"Jun's right, it'll grow back,"

Was the Commander stupid?!

"I couldn't care less about my hair, you fool. I thought she was going to cut me." I fumed.

"Relax, Ezri, I said this was simply a business trip. If I wanted you dead, I would've taken the opportunity to smother you in your sleep."

"What fucking sleep?!" I shouted.

"Be quiet, I can't think," Jun hissed.

The lady had transferred the pot from the stove to the table where she'd begun stirring it with her hand.

The pot was bubbling and steaming and I had to wonder what forces were preventing the skin from peeling off her hand.

Seconds later she dropped my hair in the pot, still mixing.

"What do you think you're doing?" I snapped.

If this woman hated Haku as much as I, then why was she doing his bidding, especially when she knew my circumstances?

"Reading your fate." She replied.

Author's note

Had to get rid of Grammarly whilst writing this chapter, I swear it highlights every little detail to the point it becomes irritating. I'd say it's great for professional and academic work, but for creative, not so much.

Also, I'd like to thank you all for your support and if you're enjoying Era of Ezri, please don't forget to vote and/ or leave a lovely comment 💜🌸.

Happy reading, 

-Y