A Collection of Short Stories

A Meeting with Enemies

Lena walked through the dark endless forest for almost 2 hours. Her feet was sore, her muscles straining with every attempt to walk, but she have to keep on walking. Although she was tired, so tired until she could pass out any moment, she still have to reach the destination in the letter. It was a dark night, star blinking brightly across a black sky, encouraging her to walk on. A chilly wind blew across her cheek, caressing the heat that flamed across her cheek. Sweat beaded around her forehead. Her cape flowed behind her as she walked, a dark trail stalking her.

Suddenly, she heard the crackle of fire, soft but can be heard. She whirled around, ready for whatever that is going to pounce on her, but all she saw was darkness, the blinking stars, the towering trees and the unmistakable crackling of fire. She reached into her pocket and took out a hunting knife. She walked towards the sound, cautiously, her feet not making a sound. Her eyes darted, scanning for the spark of the bright fire, but she sees nothing except endless darkness. Suddenly, she was hit with something hard at the back, the seeming pain slowly drifting to her head, as she drifted to unconsciousness.

She woke up to the sound of crackling of fire, now loud and clear to hear it. She jolted from her sleeping area, only to find 3 people sitting around the bright fire, their eyes staring at her. The one on the right has dark hair with a streak of silver at the sides. His eyes were gold, shining brightly with amusement. He wore only a white shirt along with pants made of the silkiest silk. The one of the left has silver hair that shone under the moonlight, lighting up the destination with its silvery glow. Her eyes were black as the endless dark sky, full of thoughts and ideas. She wore all black, her shirt and thighs leggings were made of fighting leather, Lena only saw them used in battles. The one sitting in front of her, must be a royal. His hair was red, as the rubies found in the dark caves at the far side of Lena's kingdom. His eyes was blue as the raging seas, darkening with every minute that ticked by. He wore a dark blue long sleeve shirt, with gold vines weaving through the fabric at the sleeves, and black jeans that has a rubbery texture.

"What is this?" Lena's voice interrupted the silence, her voice hoarse.

The dark blue shirt guy stood up, patting his pants, and said in a deep melodious voice, "Here's your destination." He spread his arms wide, as the ones on his left and right nod their heads sullenly.

Lena looked around. It was described exactly in the letter. A canopy of trees, a crackling fire, and enemies surrounded around the fire. A meeting with enemies, Lena thought, this is going to be absolutely fine.

The dark blue shirt guy addressed himself first. "I'm the Prince of the city of Niburu, Morse."

Niburu was a city on a floating island, supported by wisps of air pushing the island from beneath. It was blessed by the gods Apollo and Artemis a long time ago. It was a place of heaven, where everyone was accepted in the society of the city, ranging from elves, dwarves, lizards and many more. This city is like a haven for travelers who come from afar.

The one on the right spoke in a baritone voice, " I'm the Second from the Three Apostles, Rowan"

Lena gasped in surprise. He was one of the death gods, tasked in collecting heroic souls who die in battle gloriously, and sending to haven, and also punishing the ones that defy his will. Lena's mind was bursting with lots of questions. How did he end up here?

The girl enveloped around a silvery glow spoke in a lyrical voice like the plucked strings of a harp, " I'm the Assassin of the Silent Desert. "

Ah. The Silent Desert, full of bandits, thieves and assassins. The blistering heat scorched her skin once, and left her body red as scrubbed skin.

Then they all turned their heads to Lena. Lena fought down the queasiness in her stomach, and spoke in a hard voice, " I'm Lena. "

Rowan scoffed, " No way she could be Lena. "

The Assassin smirked, " Her real name is not Lena, I could tell through her darting eyes."

Morse said, " Full name maybe? "

Lena spoke again in a hard chilly voice, " I have no full name, just Lena will do. "

Rowan looked away, with disgust. The Assassin looked at her with great suspicion while the Prince looked at me with boiling impatience and huffed a short angry sigh. Lena stare back at them, coldly. Suddenly, Rowan, fast as lightning, struck Lena in the face, a blow so hard that her teeth nearly slammed into her lips. Lena whirled towards him, shocked to see him sit down so calmly, rubbing his knuckles.

Rowan calmly said, " She's not Lena. She's someone else. "

How did he know, that Lena isn't her real name? Oh right, Lena thought, he is a stupid death god that could guess my real name, how stupid of me.

Lena stood up, all eyes darted towards her. She looked at the fire, with regret, and spoke, " My name is not Lena. My true name is Lydia, the High Priestess of the Asterim Court. "

The Assassin cursed, "Shit."
The Prince looked at me with wide eyes.
Rowan looked at me with bored eyes, which she was pretty sure he guessed her name long before everyone did.

Lydia looked at them and said " Why the hell do you summon a priest to pray without a fucking altar? "