The Ascendants

Chapter 13

Orana was escorted by the old woman into a three-story scrapped building. Everything about the village looked salvaged, from metal scraps to rocket ships. The buildings looked sturdy and strangely beautiful and captivating. The amount of effort put into everything was easy to see. The elderly woman brought her upstairs, and opened a door that lead into a tiny bedroom.

"Rest here for the night, it is very late." She told her, gesturing to the soft cushion on the floor. "All will be explained in the morning. You have a long day in front of you, guardian." Without another word she left Orana there, hobbling out of the room on her ancient legs. Orana looked around the room, the bed looked heavenly comfortable, with a fluffy cushion and soft, warm blankets. Orana smiled to herself. There was a small tear-drop shaped lantern next to it. Orana lied down, wrapped herself up in the blankets, and blew out the flickering flame.

She was awoken when a little girl entered her room, carrying a metal platter with cups and plates on it. The girl set the tray down next to Orana, and left the room with a bright smile. The food smelled wonderful, the plate was piled with soft cakes covered in a sugary-sauce. The little cups were filled with tea and cream. Orana found a folded pile of clothes at the edge of her bed, and she started to dress. There was a long mirror in the corner of the room, that went from the floor to the ceiling. Orana took off her shredded clothes from when she arrived on the desert planet.

Her eyes were a cold-gray color, her hair was a snowy white and her skin tone was freakishly pale. No wonder her skin had stung so much. Stripped of the cover of cloth, Orana's skin was layered with black-inked tattoos. She turned her back to the mirror and craned her head over her shoulder. On her back there was a bird, its wings were wrapped around a planet. It was dotted with words she barely understood. The beady-eyed bird stared back at her through its reflection. Orana grabbed a soft, gray short-sleeved shirt. She tried to ignore the tattoos and got dressed. She used a thin black ribbon to tie back her white hair.

Orana walked down the stairs, where the old woman was waiting at a long table. Orana sat on one of the colorful cushions across from the elder. The woman didn't look at her, she was focused on the cup in her hand. Orana waited patiently, her hands folded in her lap. The little girl from earlier skipped up to the old woman, and whispered something in her ear. The elderly woman nodded her head and the little girl left the room.

"You appeared at a very important time for our tribes, Moon Goddess." The old woman's voice was as smooth as water," I must help you start your journey, Orana."

"What is my journey exactly?" Orana wondered.

"You must make it to your home, the Great Moon, to recover what you have lost. Seeing as you have been sent here, your companion might possibly be on this planet." The elder explained. "A great tournament is being held amongst our people, it starts in a few hours. The ultimate warrior will be the champion."

"Do you think my companion will be at this tournament?" Orana questioned again.

"Yes-" The woman was interrupted by a loud blasting horn. Outside the entrance a thunderous pounding of footsteps could be heard. "Ah, the race has started. Come now Goddess, it is time for the game to begin."

★★★★★

It had been a day and Orana had crashed landed in a desert, had been dragged through said desert, had been brought to a small village, and was now spectating in the largest arena that probably existed. Thousands--millions filled every seat. The elderly woman, Lida, sat next to her high up in the stands. Lida explained to her that there were three tribes on the entire planet, her's was the smallest.

"What happens in this tournament? To decide the winner?" Orana questioned.

The old woman shook her head,"Something your past lives would indulge in, Moon Goddess."

In the first few seconds of the gate opening, and the yells and screams reaching her ears, Orana realised what Lida was talking about. The sand had not always red. The difference between different tribemn was obvious. The tribe she had lived in were lizard-like, with slashes for pupils, horns, and scaly skin. The second tribe were rock-like, with giant fists and cracked, orange skin. The third were tall and muscular, stoic and wise-looking. They had pointed ears and red eyes, their faces had smooth shells that covered over their skin, pointing at the tips. Orana felt a weird attraction to them, like she was meant to be with one of them.

There was a roar from the gates, and one of them stepped out of the shadows. He was shirtless, pounding his chest and staring up to where his tribe leaders sat, nodding his head towards them. There were about five dead bodies lying in the sand, but Orana did not look away. Three men from the second tribe were left in there from the previous round. A few more tribe peoples stepped out of the gates, and Orana recognized Soma right away. She jolted in her seat, what was he doing down there?

Lida did not look surprised, her hand was propped up on the armrest, and her head was tilted to the side. She seemed intrigued to watch him fight. The shirtless man glanced to Soma and said something to him. Orana could not read his lips. They were all armed with various weapons like maces, axes, and swords, and a tiny shield for limited protection. Orana leaned forward in her seat, another horn blew and they all jumped into battle. Two old men fell instantly, and Soma sprinted off to the far side of the arena, the little boy was shaking and scared. The man who had walked out with Soma shouted coward, and sauntered over to him.

He ferociously pushed Soma to the arena floor. The men from the previous rounds wiped their blades on their shirts, and dragged them through the bloody sand, trying to intimidate him. Soma's attacker threw his shield to the ground, right by Soma's feet. He readied his sword and shouted a battle cry. He met the men and swung the sword, chopping all three of them in half. Their crimson blood spilled to the sands, and they flopped to the ground. The tribesman pounded his chest with his right hand, he was covered in blood. Orana was captivated by the spectacle. Soma was the only one left in the arena, he held the shield above his head, he cowered in a ball. A part of Orana was angry at him for being so weak.

For a moment she wanted the giant warrior to finish him. Orana pinched her wrist, checking to see if she was dreaming. Those thoughts scared her. The man dropped his sword and spread open his arms, spinning and looking around the arena. For just a moment Orana and his eyes locked, then he looked away. The crowd cheered and booed, wanting him to finish off Soma like Orana's dark thoughts had. The man waved his hand and exited the arena, walking back into the shadows.

"Ehno shows another bout of mercy." Lida chuckled.

Orana kept watching the shadows, hoping that the man called Ehno would exit from them and show herself to her. But that never happened.

The chapter is a little weird 😂 but I hope you enjoyed! Come back for more Wednesday!