The Lost Piece

Chapter One

...

Laying in the scattered sunlight peeking through autumn leaves laid one of Aka's Dragonfly Shards. His eyes gently closed as his brain spun in circles, wondering where he would go and what he would become when their training concluded. Trying to relax and ignore the scoffs of people wandering by him. After all, it was never going to be an easy life existing as a cast out because of someone else. 

Despite it all, it was peaceful and quiet, the only sound was the gentle clack of carriages and the patter of feet against the stone paths. The whistle of the cool breeze was comforting, but did make those weary of the seasons to come.

Many training Shards didn't spend a whole lot of time in the actual streets of Aka, instead, they spent time in the Shard Cove, a place specifically designed to be a training course for the Shards. Some -- including Akil Crag -- found solace in seeing the town every now and again. Whether or not it was to visit family or friends, or to appreciate the place they would soon be serving would depend on the person. For Crag, it was simply due to the fact that he enjoyed being separated from the other Dragonfly Shards.

That didn't mean he could always escape them though.

"Hey Akil!" The voice of a blonde beauty chimed through the rest and Akil opened his eyes to see her leaning over him. He -- as well as anyone else -- never understood Zanita's point in conversing with him. Zanita came from a rich, gorgeous, powerful family and although she had given it all up when she was disowned for joining the Shards, anyone would easily give her a home. Zanita Drago always denied any advances towards her though, she was hoping that victory would lead her back to her home where she wished to belong. 

"Hello Zanita," Akil replied as he sat up. It was now that he saw the brunette standing beside the beauty with a smile that matched the other's. Akil was glad to have met Jack Geyer when they started training, he proved to be a good ally and helped steer Akil down the right path. "Hey Jack."

"Good afternoon, Akil," Jack smiled as he plopped down in the grass beside Akil with a groan, Zanita quickly followed suit.

"What are you two doing in town?"

"Well I was visiting Jasper," Jack replied, his eyes already closed and hands holding his head. "Zanita just needed something to do because she has no friends besides us."

"You're so mean, I could have hung out with Elias if I wanted to!" Zanita huffed. "Your brother just works at that bakery with the best muffins! Last time you forgot to get me one and I had to suffer."

"So I take it you got one this time?" Akil asked and Zanita nodded.

"I already ate it though, sorry Akil,"

"No, it's alright." Akil smiled before turning his attention back to Jack. "How's Jasper doing?"

"Ah, a little anxious, I suppose," Jack answered honestly with eyebrows furrowed. There was a twinge of annoyance in his voice when he spoke. He got frustrated pretty often about how his younger brother reacted to his enrollment in the Shards, and with their graduation a few weeks away, it only worsened his brother's nerves.