Awaken The Flame

The sun shone brightly against the town roof’s. Tents were set up all over the main street, where merchant’s were trading gems, poultry, and crops for fortunes. Peoples skimmed over the tables, their eyes staring greedily at the products. Others walked back home with their hands on their pockets, as if to protect their fortune from all the thieves. A group of five teenagers walked along the market, taking things that their eyes admired. They sneaked jewels and food into their pockets and acted as if they were angels. And if there ever was someone who accused them of thievery, the next day that person would be found beaten. Everyone but a girl had their pockets full. She stood in the back, twirling her dirty blonde hair in her fingers. She looked as if she had no where else to go but here with her friends. The girl did a really good job at dissimulating her feelings about the group. She knew that they would protect her as if they were her brothers but the problem was that they were bad. She didn’t like to take things from people, especially if those people needed those things to survive. She herself was living a hard life. Both her parents are moribund and the only thing she could do was sit and watch. 1

When she turned fifteen, her parents fell ill in bed and had to be taken care of by the town’s nurse. The nurse never recovered them to their right state because there was no cure for her parents illness. They didn’t even know what was wrong with her parents. Faith was worried and full of fear, but her parents ordered her to go out everyday so that she wouldn’t fall ill. And so if they did die, it wouldn’t be in front of their daughter. Faith shook her head, tying to get rid of the unpleasant thoughts in her head. She tried to think of a satisfying thought, one that can take her mind of off her parents for several hours.2

She gazed into the sky, and began to dream of her life. In the future, I will be something. I will become someone, I will have something that’s called a life. No one will stop me from becoming a real person. People will respect me and not thing that I’m a ratty teenager who likes to hang on the street and steal stuff! I’m not that type of person! Her hands were balled into fists and before she knew it she was breathing hard as if to hurt someone.3

“Faith you alright there?” a boy from the group asked. She snapped out of her daydream and looked at him.4

“Yes, I’m fine. There’s no need to worry about me Angel.” Angel shrugged his shoulders and looked forward. Faith stared back up at the sky and continued her daydream. She imagined herself as a leader. A person that was standing in front of a crowd, talking to them in a peaceful tone. She imagined herself as Queen of all the land. A Queen who would treat the people fair and with love and care. Not like the King, who all he cared about was wealth and slaves. As someone bumped into her, he dream disappeared into the invisible wind, and all that was left was the market. She looked over to a merchant next to her and smiled. The merchant, who stood there waiting to sell his loot, smiled back.5

Faith continued to walk down the market’s path, always behind the group. Her thoughts vanished with every step she took. She looked down at her feet and immediately closed her eyes. The dust from the floor gathered into a small cloud and got into her eyes. Without being able to see, she ran into an elderly woman. The bag of herbs the woman was carrying fell to the floor, and all its contents spread out before her. Faith opened her eyes to see the scene in front of her face and quickly got on her knees.6

“I’m so sorry ma’am. I didn’t see where I was going, I apologize for my actions.” she picked up the herbs that was on the floor and put it inside the bag. The woman took the bag carefully so as not to spill anything again and kept on walking as if nothing happened. Faith turned around and also started walking, until she heard someone speak.7

“Thank you Faith.” Faith turned around and couldn’t find the lady anywhere. The streets weren’t crowded so it couldn’t be hard to spot her. It was as if she was just a ghost of some sort. Faith turned back around to see the group looking at her with a look on their faces as if she was bizarre.8

“What you guys?” she asked quizzically. The others continued to look at her without blinking.9

“Who were you talking to?” One of them asked.10

“This old lady. I bumped into her and spiller all her stuff on the floor. She said thank you but when I turned around she wasn’t there.” The others had an even more questionable look on their faces.11

“Faith, there was no old lady here. If there was, we would have seen her. Are you sure you’re okay?” angel asked, walking up to Faith and resting his hand on her shoulder.12

“I’m not going crazy!” She yelled. “I saw the woman right in front of me. Don’t like I’m stupid guys.” Faith was starting to get mad now. The group usually liked to play tricks on her. But never ones where they made her seem crazy. Everyone except Angel kept on walking and laughing at Faith. Angel who stayed behind tried to comfort her.13

“Are you sure you’re not hallucinating Faith? I mean you could be sick and your head is kind of hot. Maybe I should take you home.”14

“I’m not sick or hallucinating Angel. You have to believe me,” she said as she started to get sad. Her eyes became puffy and red and almost started tearing. Angel who was feeling sympathetic for her let the topic go and continued to walk, catching up with the others.15

“I believe you. I always Faith.” He didn’t look back when he talked, but yet Faith knew that he was just saying that to make her feel better. Angel to her was like a big brother she never had. He had been looking after her since they were little. And to this day, he’ll still beat up a guy who will disrespect her. Faith knew that Angel was only trying to help her, but sometimes it got out of hand. She still remembered the day when she first met Angel.16

* * * * * 17

It was just a couple of years before the present time and Faith had been nine years old. She was growing more and more bored, finally stepping outside to see if any kids were out. At first there was no one in sight, until she noticed a little boy sitting at the corner of her house, weeping to himself. Faith cautiously approached him and laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.18

“Are you okay there?” she asked in a soft tone. The boy quickly jumped away and a few steps back. He looked at the girl with turbid expression. He took two steps forward and quickly re-treaded again when he saw Faith’s genuine smile plastered across her face.19

“Hi, I’m Faith. And you are?” she asked, this time, her tone was more alive. She offered another hand, ready for the boy to grasp it. 20

He stared at her, still wary and alert, before finally walking towards her again. He firmly grasped her hand in his, and shook it softly. 21

“My name is…” He paused for a moment, pondering on whether she was trustworthy to know his identity or not. “Angel.” he let go of his hand and bowed his head, licking the dirt into the air.22

“Angel, that’s a nice name. So where are your parents?” Faith looked around the corner to find no one there. “Are they shopping at the market?” 23

“No, I don’t have any parents. I’ve been living in the streets since I was six.” He dug a small hole with his shoe, and continued to make it deeper then it was.24

“Really, how have you lived? What did you eat and drink?” Faith was really curios at Angel’s life. She had never met someone who didn’t have any parents. But then again, no one ever wanted to talk to her.25

“People give me food and something to drink. I’m used to it, so you don’t have to worry.”26

Faith looked at him with a sad look on her face, but quickly her frown turned into a smile. She grabbed his hand and led him into his house and in front of her parents. “Mom, Dad, look. This is Angel, he’s my new friend. Can he stay here? Please?” She begged to the point that she was on her knees. Morin and Anya, looked at her with an uneasy smile.27

“He’s welcome to stay here, but what about his parents? Do they let you stay here?” Anya asked. She walked up to him and put a gentle hand on his face to get a better look at him. She smiled politely at him and walked off towards the kitchen to wash the dishes.28

“I have no parents ma’am. I’ve been living on the streets since I was six. I just got here to Hazel Town two days ago. I’m sorry to bother you, maybe I should go.” He bowed his head and turned around to walk, when all of a sudden a hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.29

“I won’t have such talk in this house. You can stay with us all you like. We’ll look after you Angel. You have nothing to worry,” Morin said. He released his shoulder and took hold of his hand. “Come on, we’ll get you bathed, dressed, and ready for dinner.”30

Angel stared at him until he finally gave him a hug. His vision began to become blurred with the tears that was building in his eyes. He ran up to Anya and hugged her too. “Thank you both. I really appreciate this, and I won’t ever give you trouble.” He followed Morin took a flight of stairs that led to the bathroom and when he passed Faith, he gave her a kiss on the cheek and whispered a “Thanks.” before going up.31

As the years went by, Faith and Angel got closer and closer than ever. Angel now looked at her as a little sister and Faith to him as a big brother. Angel also got closer to Faith’s parents. He looked up to them as if they were his own. He trusted them with all his heart, went to them with all his problems, and even loved them like nothing else. He became part of the family. He was a bit of a handful at times, but yet, they never stopped loving him.32

* * * * *33

Faith snapped out of the trance she was in and noticed that she was in Upper Hazel. She noticed that she was a little behind the group, so she ran to catch up with them. She continued to walk through the Town, her mind still on her past. She heard men talking, and stopped them over a box of Rubies, Emerald’s, and Sapphires. She looked at the group, wishing that they would not see the men. But unfortunately, they did, and they stared with a look of green in their eyes. Angel flashed a quickly glance at Faith who looked worried. He walked in front of the group and stopped them dead in their tracks.34

“Guys no, not here, not now, just don’t do it.” Angel said, or actually begged. They looked at him as if he were crazy and started laughing. One of them, apparently the leader of the group, stepped up with a menacing expression. 35

“Oh no, why Angel? What are you going to do about it? You have no one to back you up. And you make me think a lot. If Faith weren’t here, you would be the first one on those gems. So why Angel, why not now. In front of her?” Angel looked at him, someone who he had trusted, just disrespected him. 36

“What are you talking about Jeres? I would never do anything that hurts people. So no I am not trying to impress Faith. And if I have to stop you myself from hurting them, I will. Even if it means that I get hurt in the progress. Because this is the lowest thing anything can do. Even too low for all of you.” 37

Jeres looked at him, hating him every with second that passed. He took a step forward and spoke. “Move out of the way Angel, or I’ll knock you down.”38

I’m not going to let you Jeres. Leave them alone.” Before Angel knew, he was knocked down and being run over as the group ran towards the men. Frightened, they dropped the box of gems and started fighting back. Faith ran up to Angel, and picked him up.39

“Angel are you alright?” She asked, wiping the blood that was running down his lip.40

“Yea Faith, I’m good. We have to separate them before those men get killed. I’ll go call your dad.41

“No, he’s as sick as it is. He’ll just die out in front of us. Get his friend, the blacksmith. He might be at his shop now,” She screamed as he ran away.42

“Okay, got it,” He screamed back as he and his voice faded away. Faith turned her attention back to the ramble that was going on. She watched as on guy fell to the floor, bleeding out of his mouth and nose. Faith couldn’t just sit there and watch she had to do something. She ran up to Jeres who was now holding the box of gems in his hands and admiring them while his friends guarded him. As she ran, she thought on what she would do, until she got up to him and did what she thought was best. She kicked the box out of his hands, scattering the gems all over the floor. She didn’t notice the ruby and emerald that were the size of one’s thumb nail go into her boot. Jeres looked at her, surprised that she would do such a thing. A smirk grew on his face as he got back to his senses.43

“So Faith wants to act like a big girl guys. Angel isn’t here to help you now is he? What are you going to do? Run home to mommy and daddy and cry your eyes out? Please, you’ll be dead with these people before you breath.”44

“I don’t need no one to back me up. I can take you alone, and if you were so tough, why do you need your friends behind your back all the time?” Faith asked through gritted teeth.45

“I’m sick of you Faith. Always in our way. This is the day you’ll get it.” With a blink of an eye, he took out the dagger that was in his boot. Faith eyed the dagger, careful to see where it was being led. She watched as it got closer and closer so she did the first thing that came to her mind. She kicked his hand and made him let go of the dagger. She then grabbed it and threw it as far as she could.46

“I’m going to kill you Faith Soever. Mark my words, you will be no more.” Faith looked at him with a look of hatred and before Jeres knew it, Faith was launching herself onto him, knocking them both on the floor. She started punching his face, making him bleed. Her hands were full of blood, but yet she wouldn’t stop. Not until she felt a sharp pain from her shoulder to her elbow. She winced in pain as she saw Jeres pull a dagger out of her arm. She jumped back and look at him, confused.47

“Always carry a spare in your other boot Faith,” Jeres said, laughing at what he though was her stupidity. He got closer, swinging his dagger in front of her. He quickly halted when he saw Faith laughing. “What are you laughing at, your death?”48

She looked at him and shook her head. “No. I’m laughing at how you think your so smart. You say always carry a spare. And I say always check for the original.” She pulled out her dagger that was in her boot and continued laughing. “Now we’re even.” She ran a him with her dagger out in front of her, but before she reached him, she felt a hand grab her shoulder and throw her down. When she looked up, she found out that it was on of the King’s soldier in his bronze suit.49

They were the lowest class of soldiers there was. Their only jobs were to roam the towns and cities, protecting it from any trouble makers. The soldier look at Faith, the men on the floor, and at the gang with a look of triumph oh his face. “Looks like I caught some rascals in the making.”50

Faith mouthed the words rascals in the making and the others just shrugged at each other. The soldier whistled and at the north end of the road were soldiers running towards them. As everyone looked closely, they noticed that these soldiers had silver suits on. Faith quickly grew a worried look on her face because silver suited soldiers meant that actions would be taken.51

As the group of seven soldiers stood in front of everyone, the group of teens, besides Faith, tried to run away, but were quickly ceased by the soldiers. The leader of the group stepped forward and spoke in a low voice but yet it had a superior tone to it.52

“No one is going anywhere yet. I want to know why these men are on the floor bleeding? You girl, what is your name?” He pointed his finger to Faith as he asked the question.53

“Faith, sir,” she managed to stutter out.54

“Faith, tell me everything. I want to know everything, from beginning to the end. Don’t skip anything, or there will be a price to pay.”55

Faith hesitated to talk, scared that she would break down from everyone’s gaze. She tried speaking but it came out low and not quiet audible.56

“We were walking down the market, when they-” she pointed to the gang. “spotted these men with the box of gems. They clearly wanted the gems, so they started mugging them. I couldn’t take it, so I jumped in and defended these men. I hit my own group and we turned against each other. We started fighting and I got stabbed and I was going to stab back but you got here.”57

The soldier looked at her with a keen eye. He studied her, trying to see if she was lying, but yet he couldn’t figure out her little white lie. She chose not to mention Angel, doing so would have brought up more questions and at least he was safe. The soldier studied her for one last moment before he spoke again.58

“Such a nice story you have told us. Now only if it were true. Faith, is it? I think that you are tying to make yourself the hero of this story. If you ask me, I think you were the first one to beat these poor men.”59

“But I didn’t ask you,” Faith remarked with rage in her eyes. 60

“I see that you also have a nasty side. It won’t last you long in life. Not that you can recover what it lost.” He looked at her one final time before grabbing her arms. He looked at his companions and said, “I’ve got this one. Grab the others and follow me. And you there.” he said pointing to the soldier in gold. “Help up those men and take them to the town nurse. If they can even afford one.”61

The soldiers led the group of teens out of the town and into one of the paths that led to other cities and towns. Faith never knew which ones led to which, but did know that they led to Copper Town, Pompel City, and Porque Village. She wondered on which one they would be taken when she was thrown into a cart. Lucky for her, the others were put in a different cart then hers. As soon as the soldiers were in, they made the horse’s who were up front, lead them to their destination. 62

Throughout the entire ride, Faith thought about her parents and angel. She imagined how her parents would react when they find out that she was taken away by soldiers. She would get into so much trouble for something that she never did. She imagined Angel going to her father asking for help, then returning to the site to find that they were gone. She thought on what would happen when she got to their destination. She thought on many things for a few hours during the ride. Her life seemed to pass through her mind all at once. But those thoughts were pushed out of her mind as her stomach grumbled. She put her hand on her stomach and noticed that she hadn’t ate in hours. She felt the cart stop and the soldiers get out. She saw one of them motion to her so she stepped out also.63

When she got out, she saw that she was in open plains. A stream was next to them. She watched as the horses were released and went to drink some water. She sat down on a broken log and stared off into the distance. A soldier came up to her with some food on a tray. His eyes were widened with a sign, but Faith didn’t notice. She took it with a thanks and started eating. There was something about the food that Faith couldn’t put her finger on that made it tasted great. She watched the others mope about eating there food but she didn’t dare talk to them. About half an hour later, Faith was climbing back into the cart. Her vision started getting blurry and she wasn’t able to thin straight. And with the cart bouncing from the rocks she was feeling dizzy too.64

She didn’t know if she was hallucinating or not, but she saw someone on a horse follow her cart. She felt a cold feeling run up her veins as she noticed that the food was poisoned. Not to kill, but to knock her out. She took one close look and before she knew it, she was being engulfed in darkness.65

Faith opened her eyes carefully, adjusting to the beam of light that came from the window. She got up, feeling woozy, he whole body soar, he head aching with pain. She walked over to the window and held on to the bars as she peered outside. She took in the beautiful image of the city. The houses aligned in straight rows, all the same size and color. At the far end stood a marvelous building in Faith’s opinion. The off white marble shone brightly against the sunset, setting light all over the place.66

She let go of the bar and slid down against the wall. The moss that was collecting in the tight corners and edges, mushed against her back. Faith didn’t care, as long as it was soft and unlike the cold hard floor. She tried to think of what happened, but couldn’t recall anything. Her mind was blurred after she ate. That’s when it hit her, the soldier poisoned the food. But not with a deadly poison. Just one that could knock you out for several hours.67

Her mind lingered on the idea of being poisoned until she remembered about the others. She wondered where they were and if they were in a panic state. She wondered if they too were poisoned like her and if they were up yet. But from thinking of poisons, her mind started to clear up more and more. She was able to make out full details of what happened before she fell asleep. She thought about the person she had seen riding a horse and her eyes quickly widened. What if someone saw us, and came to rescue us. She thought but yet it was crushed at the idea of no one knowing who she was except for her family.68

And thinking of family, If the soldiers came from where Angel ran towards, hadn’t they crossed paths? Did Angel see the soldiers and think right away that there was trouble then he thought? Had he been able to get to my father on time to tell him exactly what had happened? But the answers she did not know. She pondered on these questions but yet the answers weren’t able to come.69

Faith nearly jumped half a mile as the door to the cell opened and in walked a soldier. It was the same soldier that had given her the food back at the stream. He held the same sympathetic look he held back then. He looked outside warily and closed the door. He walked up to Faith with a tray on his hands and gave her a weak smile.70

“Faith, my name is Leos. As you know I am one of the King’s soldiers, but I am here against my will. I am truly sorry that I gave you that food. I tried to warn you without letting the other soldiers in on what I was doing, but you just wouldn’t look at me. I know that your starving, I have brought you some food.” He gave her the food tray which was filled of sandwiches of every kind. “And no they are not poisoned,” He added as she gave both the food and him a cautious look. “I’ll even eat on with you.”71

Both he and Faith grabbed a sandwich and started eating. Faith was halfway down eating her fifth piece when she stopped to look at Leos. “Why are you forced to be a soldier?” she asked with a hint of curiosity coming out. Leos looked at her with a frown. The thought of thinking about it frightened him.72

“I was seventeen when this happened, around three years ago. I used to live in Vosef Village. It was a magnificent place back then. Now it’s nothing but a deserted village, all because of the King. He came and destroyed it while in war with the Kazra.”73

Faith looked confused at the word Kazra. But she didn’t have to ask Leos what it meant, for somehow he knew.74

“Kazra are these troll like creatures. They are pretty much taller than the average human, in face you have too look upwards to see their heads. They have what looks like slimy blue skin, but if you go up close it really isn’t. Their heads are disgustingly oval, their ears as pointy as an elf. They have at least two hundred teeth, with an extra two sticking out of their mouths and pointing upward. They have short gray hair on top of their heads but on the back it’s long and braided.”75

Faith held a disgusted look on her face. She didn’t like the sound of these creatures and from the looks of it, they wouldn’t like her, as a human. But her thoughts were quickly interrupted from Leos speaking again.76

“The Kazra usually keep to themselves, but they just couldn’t let the King ruin their land. He set up camp all over Ember City and started mining for gems, destroying what was left of the city. Mind you the city was already destroyed. The Kazra leader went to the King to ask if he could stop, but the King took it as a threat and killed the leader. The others went crazy, but to not destroy their home, they drove the King’s army back, into my village, where the King finally drove them back by killing almost all of the Kazra. The ones that were left ran away in fear, leaving my village in ruins. The King then got men from the town and made them join his army. All that complained and refused were killed on the spot. The women and children were made his servants. And that’s how I got here, but I some what wanted to come. To get a chance to kill the King. He killed my father, because he refused to join. A man of old age that’s filled with sickness shouldn’t be allowed to join. I will avenger my father, I will show the King how much of a monster he is!”77

Both Leos and Faith sat quiet for some time when all of a sudden a low knock came from the door. Leos stood up with a smile on his face, he looked over at Faith and whispered, “It’s time to leave.” Faith got up and slightly ran the little distance towards the door. Leos opened the door and on the other side stood Angel, with the biggest grin on his face.78

“Angel!” Faith yelped. Angel hushed her and grabbed her hand. He led both faith and Leos to the corridor where they saw soldiers knocked out cold on the floor. On top of them were vines curling themselves onto their arms and legs. Angel tried to hide his smile and spoke, “Nothing, they were like that when I got here.” Leos took a quick glance at Angel who stared back. Fr a moment they looked at each other in the eyes and it wasn’t long before they walked. They were barely outside the gates when Faith remembered.79

“Angel, the others are still inside. We should go back and get them.” She turned around but felt someone grab her arm. She watched as Leos shook his hand and made her keep walking.80

“Why should we rescue them? They were mean to you, and plus they have no parents that worry about them and you do. My main goal now is to get you home without your parents ever knowing what happened.” They barely took ten steps when they heard screams of anger behind them. The three turned around to see guards running towards them with their swords in hands. Leos grabbed Angel and Faith’s arms and started retreating back, away from the men.81

“These men are going to kill. Run!” Leos said with a frightened look on his face. The three began to run, the wind whipping their faces. They occasionally looked back, checking to see that the men weren’t almost on them. But to Faith, it was a wrong move. She tripped over her foot and landed on her stomach. She turned around to look at the men gaining on her and covered her head with her arms as they swung the swords at her. Angel and Leos screamed her name, as she brought her hands up, her eyes turned into rubies and out of the palm of hands came to balls of fire. She heard the guards yell and looked up to see them a couple of feet away, trying to put out the fire that was on their armor. Faith got up and carefully walked over to her companions, still looking at the guards. She looked at her hands, afraid that they would shoot fire again. Her eyes went back to being Aquamarine and she fell onto the floor.82