Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 22: Fourteen Years Ago

Shodon was under attack.

Cytra looked out her bedroom window and saw several men in green uniforms charge down the street, all hefting spears or bows. Their orderly maneuvers were perfectly executed. They formed ranks around several buildings, and waited for their enemies to arrive.

Who was attacking Shodon? How long had the Shodoni forces been at war? When living in a small village, very few people were informed about things like this.

Cytra had never seen anything more terrifying.

In the distance, a dark line lined the horizon, where the enemy army stood, waiting. The Shodoni infantry were getting impatient, waiting for the enemy to attack. What were they waiting for?

"Cytra!" Grace croaked from across the house. She was still not getting better, even though Jitlan was still willing to help. He couldn't come as often as he had before, but he still came. He still cared about them.

But his work was failing him. If anything, Grace was getting worse. Jitlan couldn't figure out what was causing her mother to be so sick. Cytra worried for her mother every day. Every night, Cytra sang her mother's song because she was too weak to do it herself.

"Cytra, what's going on?"

"Someone's attacking the city," Cytra answered. "We need to get you out of here!"

Cytra ran to her mother, and tried to help her to her feet. Grace tried, but failed to get to her feet. She immediately crumpled into the bed. What was wrong with her?

"Cytra, you need to get help. Go find someone who will help," she said.

"No, mother," Cytra said defiantly. "I won't leave you!"

"But child, you must," she explained. "You can't get me out of here on your own. You need help. Go find it."

"But..."

"Go!" she commanded.

Cytra didn't waste another second. She burst out the door and immediately ran for a soldier, but they were all gone. Where had they gone?

They were all on the battlefront. They were fighting. The army had finally attacked.

Who else could Cytra go to?

Dadien. Their neighbor. Jitlan's brother. Cytra ran towards Dadien's house, when the entire building shook. The street around it trembled, and Cytra fell to the ground.

Cytra watched in horror as the house of her neighbor, Dadien, caught fire.

The enemy army had catapults... and they were launching fireballs! Cytra had to find help now more than ever.

Cytra ran up the street, hoping to find someone outside. Hoping to find someone who would help her. She ran on the dirt road barefoot, and frantically searched. Where was everyone?

Suddenly, Cytra saw Jitlan sprinting down the street. Cytra was filled with relief. She ran to him, and he lifted her into the air. He pulled her close and held her in a tight embrace. Jitlan was the closest thing Cytra ever had to a father.

"I'm so glad you're alright," he said, putting her down. "Where's your mother?"

"She's still inside," Cytra said. "She needs help! The soldiers are all on the battlefield and can't help. No one else is around!"

"Let's go," he said immediately.

They sprinted back to Cytra's home, but Jitlan stopped in front of his brother's burning home. He stared in disbelief, and horror. Cytra had never seen him so afraid before. It scared her.