Mind of War (On Hold)

Tunnels Part 2

Free led Kai away from Creed and Song and through some dimly lit pathways. The silence between them was unusual. Mainly, because she could sense that Kai wanted to tell her something, but was holding back. She decided to break the silence.

"Is something bothering you?"

"No..no-not at all. What made you think that?" Kai stammered.

"I don't know," Free whispered and she slowly looked away from him.

Kai was mentally scolding himself for being so nervous. "What's the worst that could happen?" He asked himself.

Clearing his throat, Kai asked, "Can I ask you something?"

Free looked at him puzzled, "Of course."

"How do you like being apart of the team?"

"It's all new to me, but I like the concept. Here in the society, we don't have teams but more like group mates. And the skills vary within the group. Like there are people here who do research, making charts on which areas of town the Shadows attack first. Then you have trainers, and then there are Shadowhunters of varying skill levels," Free explained.

"Was Creed in your work group?"

"No actually, Creed is becoming a very high profiled Shadowhunter, we have never been in the same work group before, but he is very well known. We became good friends as of late, especially since I am becoming a better hunter since being apart of Team Liberate."

"Song was really impressed when she told me that he interrupted one of her battles. She said that he has some serious skills."

"My grandfather was impressed on his use of tactics, Creed is a very physical fighter. So he drains his opponents mental energy then uses his fight skills to overpower them."

"But how does he get their amulet to change back, if he leaves them still able to hold a fist fight?" Kai asked.

"I've never seen him in battle, so you would have to ask him?"

Kai took a deep breath, "Do you think that maybe one day I could meet your grandfather?"

"Sure, I think that he would like to meet you. I believe that he would see more than what I see in you," Free sighed.

"What do you see in me?"

"A brave friend," she replied.

"I'm not brave," Kai whispered, "I am plagued with trivial fears."

"And, so you have fears, but regardless of if you are scared or not, you always try. You have the courage to make mistakes and try again. And you never stop trying. That's character, persistence and determination. That's a fighter, what separates the men from the boys. That's why I'm glad that you're my friend." Free was thankful that the pathways weren't well lit so Kai couldn't see the blush that began creeping on her face.

"Song was telling me something like that too."

"You know we are so young, and have gone through so much, it's bound to be scary, but we're still here. Life has taught me to pray and be hopeful. Like the world needs sun, the world needs rain. We have to search this darkness for our own beautiful light and once we find it, hold on to it. So everyone who had enough faith to carry a torch can have their light renewed. Although we are young, we owe our people this." Free explained.

"You're always so hopeful, it gives me a reason to look up, when things are down. Thanks. "

"I-I don't know what to say. No one has ever told me that before." Free smiled, feeling happy that her hopeful spirit had rubbed off on someone.