Black Moon: Iromir, #1

By Karakatsanis Dimos

"Even if they didn't know it now, in their darkest moments, someone had to fight through the void and break free of the chains of horror and despair. Someone to create the spark, and lead them to the other side. One who would make the greatest sacrifices. One who would lead them through uncharted waters, deep in a sea of harrowed souls under a starless, wounded sky. That someone, had to be a now frail girl listen also to a name given by a sick and twisted prophecy. Omega."

 

Ai'nil always knew that her parents were hiding something from her. And it had to do with the strange mark she had on her body. She could have never imagined what it would actually mean and the journey she was about to embark on. With two companions following along, she tries to figure out who she is and what she's destined for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karakatsanis Dimos
• Release date: Aug 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781386513858

Karakatsanis Dimos

I was born in the city of Kavala in Greece in 1989 where i still reside. Since i was a boy i loved reading and writing small stories. I studied nursing and worked for some time in different clinics. Currently my hobbies consist of writing books and static modeling.

Book preview

Iromir: Black Moon

By Karakatsanis Dimos

Book Author: Karakatsanis Dimos 

Book Title: Iromir: Black Moon 

© Year, Author 2020-2023 Karakatsanis Dimos 

Self-published 

email address: [e-mail]

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, stored in a database and / or published in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely

coincidental. 

For this book and the rest to follow, i would like to personally thank the people who had enough patience to listen to my everyday madness about it. These people are the real heroes, do trust me.  

Boogie: For the courage he gave me to never give up and keep on fighting. 

Dimitris Koutsogianakis: Book cover design 

Filippa: For the tough love. 

Gemma: I believe I have her support for the next thirty books alright.

My family: Thank you for not giving up on me. 

I suppose this page is about me. The reason why I wrote this book. There comes a day in your life when you realize that something is missing, something is off, something gnawing inside of you something you don't know what it is.  It was in the age of 14 I began to write and after that, i just never stopped. Finally, after countless paused books this one is about to make it to the light. This book means everything to me. The environments of the story, the heroes, the villains, their fears, hopes, morals, happiness and sadness are all part of me. They say to create a character you have to give them a piece of your soul. Well, i did just that, look very closely and you will find every single piece of my soul within Iromir.  If you, the reader, made it so far, then i would like to thank you. Never, ever give up on your dreams.  

Is destiny already written for us or do we write our own drawing from the inkwell of our choices...

Prologue

The fate of Iromir

Miracles come from faith, but what is faith, really? Is it faith in ourselves we really have or some higher invisible deities? Can any amount of faith create a miracle strong enough to cast a few rays of warmth and hope in a world already consumed by darkness? Maybe in another story, but... it didn’t seem to be the case for the Denizens of Iromir. At least not yet. For oligarchy ruled, and all had to answer to their masters. Every man and woman, rich and poor, boy and girl. They went by many names, such as The Mind of the Six or the Hive, but they had self-proclaimed themselves as the Uahar. Albeit the reasons they came to be and how they got such destructive powers remained to this day a mystery. Thus, why they destroyed every book prior to their existence. The Uahar. A name that could make someone die on the spot just by its mention.

Our story begins countless cycles ago, where beings and elementals roamed the lands and seas of Iromir.

With their origins or sources of power unknown, from nothing to the most ruthless, they rose to power, becoming the cruelest and most unforgiving this world has ever seen. Within only a few hundred cycles after their rise in power, the era of Kings has come to an end. Their greatest and most terrifying weapon was that they were able to enter anyone’s mind and shatter it within seconds.

Thousands tried to stop them, letting go of any grudges they held to each other and uniting, but in return, they got something much worse than death. As they felt the excruciating pain and torment trapped within the madness of the Uahar, they saw their bodies shrink, rot, and darken. Slimy they became, with eyes shining, filled with malice in the dark and claws that could rip flesh.

Trapped within the madness of the Uahar with their soul breaking piece by piece, they turned to be brainless soldiers for the very enemy they gave up everything for. Unable to recognize neither friend nor foe.

With the magic forbidden and its entrances well hidden, a world entirely made of magic began to wither and die. The world prayed to the old Gods but got no response, and when they prayed to the Twelve Sisters, who were rumored to be the Makers of Iromir, their answer came in an eerie silence.

But did they really ignore them, or did they wait patiently for the right moment?

Chapter 1

The Mark

The man stopped his sprinting to catch his breath, bending his knees slightly and resting his hands on them. No matter how well he thought he knew his forests, there were many times where he would get a sense of isolation. Alone, hunting. He looked up, past the snowy treetops in the beautiful night sky. Everyone had their own way to calm down, but to him, the only way to stop feeling the tightness in his neck was to just gaze upwards at the bright full moon. In those moments, his hunting skills were fighting with his pride, for he had chased that nakun almost all afternoon with no success. It bothered him a lot because he knew them well.

Shaking his head to come back to reality, he pulled two arrows from his quiver. His rough hand placed below the bow, held tight an arrow, and the other hand on his string before he pulled it back lightly.

Unfortunately, the only source of light coming from the moon was not enough for a successful hunt. Cursing his village, Tre’s, thick forests, he looked up in the sky once more and went back to do what he was best at. For his excellent skill, he had a name as a hunter and could make a living.

Instead of running again, this time with a clear mind, he moved slowly, careful not to make much noise as he pushed through some bushes. The sounds of light-weighted hooves not far away reached his ears, and his keen eyes catching what seemed to be a movement brought waves of joy to his heart, even though his face remained emotionless.

He moved behind a thick tree and stretched his bow even more before peeking from the side of it. It was there, sniffing the ground for food, and no matter how many times he would hunt them, their majestic sight would take his breath away as if it was the first. They had beautiful sleek fur in brown with considerable feet and three sharp spiraling horns on their forehead, with the third being slightly lower than the two.

Jash was a healthy, in-shape man, thanks to his job, which required him to be fit most of the time. Counting a little over forty summers, the village elders quite a few times, with the most challenging hunts in the worst possible weather, entrusted him. He always came back triumphant.

His small eyes matched perfectly with his high defined cheekbones and a beard that outlined his chin smoothly, running up into his mustache. There was a bit of hair coming from the center point of his lower lip down the bottom of his chin. He was a man that when having some alone time, if the conditions allowed, enjoyed looking good. As for his hair, it was brown and straight, coming down the length of his shoulders. The nakun suddenly rose, and looked him dead in his eyes.

He felt his heart beating fast and loud as his instincts told him it was not the usual type he was hunting. Actually, this one had been far too intelligent throughout the afternoon. He needed no magic powers to know this. The uneasiness he had experienced in greater detail all over his body when a gentle voice echoed from the Nakun. Lower your weapon, hunter.

Regret showered Jash along with cold sweat when he realized he was being played all along and led right into a trap. Even with all his skill and fighting experience, there was no way he would be victorious in combat with a magical creature. He shook his head in disbelief and instead stretched the string of his bow even more.

What treachery is this! Show yourself, fiend! he demanded with a firm voice, trying his best to hide a fear that could not be masked.

I believe I had done this by the time the suns owned the skies, she replied with the voice clearly now coming from the nakun as her eyes lit bright green.

There was a slight pause of shock, disbelief, and fear as he tried to find the right words. His teeth gritted, and the grip around his bow tightened. What... what are you?

One of the Twelve. Come now, hunter, time is of essence! She spoke with haste. Whether he liked it or not. He had to comply with her commands for who was he to go against one of the twelve creators of Iromir? The string holding the arrow loosened, but never left its position as he cautiously walked towards her. And so, animal and hunter walked in silence through the woods for a while until they reached a cave descending deeper underground.

Before continuing, he pulled the torch hanging on the right of the cave wall, and as he was about to light it, suddenly it was aflame on its own. He eyed the animal, confused, but she rather quickly dismissed his silent question.

Move, we can’t waste time on such trivial things.

What is down there? I have been here countless times and find it either empty or with prey for my hunts. No matter what he said though, the answer would always come as a deathly icy silence and nothing else.

The cave was not that deep, but to him, it felt like ages, for it was only now that there was a crushing pressure in his chest as he was descending straight into the unknown.

You should be honored, Jash. I chose your household among the millions out there.

What are you ta... He paused in shock when not far inside, the cry of a baby echoed through the dark, wet walls. He turned around and rose the torch in the sky to light the place and rushed to the cry source. In his mind, it was as if time itself was stopping.

Finally, the light cast away the shadows as light banishes the forces of darkness, revealing a baby held securely in a green velvet blanket. Instantly he picked it up, hugging it with all his fatherly instincts kicking in. That moment, that particular moment, surfaced strikingly painful memories from when their daughter was born dead. It was like living it again, but this time she was breathing.

Something glowed green from the right arm just below the baby’s shoulder, and he pulled the blanket aside to check. A mark was carved there—a dagger penetrating a circle all the way through. His eyes filled with tears, and he turned glaringly.

Wha... what is the meaning of all this!? I demand you answer me now! he roared in fear while desperately looking for answers.

You demand mortal!? she roared back, and an overwhelming powerful aura flooded the cave. He pulled out his sword, holding the baby protectively and his eyes widened in terror. It was too much that he was sure his heart skipped quite a few bits.

Raise this child as if it was yours, the chance you never had. I cast a powerful warding spell on you both, and the Uahar can’t track you. On  the fifteenth winter, she is to be brought back here.

We are no one special, why us!? How do you even think I can raise her?

You ask much, mortal, and it’s not your place to know the answers. An empty leather sack appeared by his feet, and he was instructed to open it only when at home. Its magical abilities were to make sure they would never be hungry again. Climb on my back. I will take you to the forest clearing.

His mind was racing, trying to answer hundreds of questions, and find solutions to the father he would be. To be given a second chance in life of something he lost before he even gained. Even if he accepted this total madness, what his wife would say when they had to give her away.

As they were riding under the full pale moon through the thorny woods, it was then that finally would set the starting point of a long-forgotten prophecy. A prophecy that would put this girl in the middle of a storm that was yet to come. A storm foreshadowing unfathomable events, with death and despair following not far behind.

His wife was an elegant-looking woman with a slim face and a lovely turned-up nose in the end. Her magnificent sky-blue eyes seemed to have seen much, for their wisdom could not remain hidden. Her beautiful long blonde hair was braided and pulled back, with only some of it falling to the sides. She went up and down in the main room, swallowing constantly, and then sat on  the chair, fidgeting even more. This was happening for a few hours now as she was waiting for her husband, Jash. Since early morning, when the two suns spread their rays in the snowy village, she had a feeling gnawing inside her. Some would say that she loved him a bit too much, and he did not deserve a woman like that. The times she argued and defended him in his absence were not few. Although none of this would matter if he did not return soon.

She trusted him. But in a remote village like that, on the slopes of mount Everfrost, Iromir as a realm was not known for its safety. Clenching her fists, she was about to grab her coat and go look for him when the door finally opened. Although not as calmly as she hoped, for it was swift before being forcefully shut again.

She almost tripped as she stood up to reach him, but gasped in shock as she was pushed slightly back. If she had made many efforts to hide her feelings or worries before now, she did not even try anymore. Her chest was pacing faster as more and more questions flooded her mind. A quick glance at him and the sweat pearls were crystal clear on his forehead.

Jash! she exclaimed. Where have you been? You always go hunting but never come back so late, the moon is way too high in the skies! She stomped her foot and protested to know what was happening, but apparently had no effect on Jash.

Not now, Izil, he replied with a darker voice dismissing her entirely and closing every window’s shutters with force.

Unaware because of her stress, her nails were digging into her palms as if there was no tomorrow.   Observant as she was, she noticed he was moving only his right hand, and the left one seemed to hold something.

Enough Jash, is someone after you? And what are you holding under your cloak?! She raised her tone, frustrated with her body tensed as ever before.

His filled with worry and fright eyes met with hers for a few moments, and then he peeked out of the closed window as if he was expecting someone or something. He grabbed the lantern sitting on the table and went to their bedroom with fast movements, gesturing her to come. At the same time, he opened a secret hatch leading to a small room below.

The room had provisions to last them a full moon if it had to, with a table in the middle and on the right rows of shelves with dusty old bottles, among other clutter.

With a fast movement, he threw everything off the table and placed the baby down gently on its surface. A long gasp escaped her chest as tears forced their way out, and her breathing fastened. Not wasting a single second, she was already checking her for wounds. A fine war medic. This is how they met with Jash, actually.

The Uahar won’t know a thing. To them, we are invisible for fifteen winters.

She narrowed her eyes and turned to look at him expecting nothing but answers and he more than delivered.

As calmly as he could, he explained everything to her that happened, holding back no details. Even the strange request of the Creator for the girl to be named Ai’nil. What was odd in all of this crazy he did not know anymore, and his wife’s reaction to this was exactly as he expected.

She paused and turned sharply at him with a statement that shook Jash so hard that it forced him into silence for many moments.

What are you expecting us to do, Jash, give her away just like that!? she yelled and stabbed her finger at him before lowering her voice. I am not losing another daughter again!

You see any other choice? She can kill me with a snap of her fingers. How will we even raise her?! he replied, more in fear than anger.

Trying to control his body’s shaking, he darted to the shelf and picked up a strong alcoholic drink, downing sips of it like it was water. He paused and coughed as it burned his throat, and then recalled the self-replenishing food sack and passed it to Izil while explaining what it does.

We will make it through, you will see. She has no family, Jash. She lowered her eyes to the ground level and apologized in shame. I am sorry about what I said earlier. It was so hard to lose our daughter, and that pain still lingers within me.

You need not apologize. I never healed from losing our baby either, but... even with the sack, I am not ready to become a father. Let alone losing her fifteen cycles from now.

The baby cried again, and he went over to check on her, only to see her stopping. Two little emerald eyes opened, and her little hand stretched, giggling and wrapping gently over his finger.

And this was all it needed really, for he dropped all effort to hold his tears back and the biggest smile ever formed across his cheeks.

I would be a fool to deny you the chance of having a family now, won’t I? After all, how many couples get to raise the most important person in the realm given by the creators themselves? One day my little one, one day, we will write your name in books and sing for the eons to come, His hand stretched and picked her up gently, hugging with his lips resting on her forehead.

The excitement was too much for Izil as well as she cried along with her husband in relief. For a moment, she held her chest, as she couldn’t breathe well.

We will make it through, you will see!

By one condition! he said with a voice that allowed no more room for discussion.

Anything! she replied with anticipation and gleaming eyes full of hope.

She will come with me to hunt. Her name is Ai’nil Sakhar.

Doesn’t Sakhar mean the gifted one in the Fariu tongue? The lost civilization? she asked, testing her knowledge.

It does indeed, for even if she knows it not, a gift to us she is and the gifts of hope, courage, and the will to fight, she will later bring.

And that snowy night was over like that, and the moons followed by winters cold and harsh with Ai’nil growing up fast. Her childhood winters were carefree, running around with the kids from the village and playing all kinds of games full of energy. They deceived the folks when saying that she was sent by one of their siblings because of some family issues.

Around her ten winters of age, she started hunting with her father, and even if he said nothing, he was training her as hard as he could. They would ride vals and even compete against each other by who would reach the destination first, with Ai’nil seeming to be quite skilled with riding. vals was the most used mounts, tall and proud, with long tentacles instead of ears hanging or raising at will. They could travel insane distances without stopping for food or water, but when a val took its break, being anywhere near it would mean a good beating.

They were often arguing about her training as he was driving her to her limits in archery and fist fighting. Then in hunting for their family or the village to make some gold for themselves. Lastly, they would chase down elder nakuns and never the young ones out of respect for all life. With everything she was going through, tracking those animals or any animal, even in her early winters, became the most difficult. They were wild animals, untamable and fierce if felt threatened traveling in small herds, but could be found alone as well. Their three horns on the temple of their forehead made them quite vicious even if they were considered prays from a big part of the wildlife. Their hides were being used to make the finest cloaks, mostly found worn by the higher classes.

Her difficulties although did not end there, for, into the wilderness, other predators existed with the gaur’s ranking the deadliest of them all. Small carnivore and hostile to most animals. Sometimes even to their own. They were fat, and their meat could be found even in the poorest of houses. What made them so deadly was their sharp razor teeth and small claws that had a chance of poisoning you.

This was to happen week after week.

The rest of the time, she would do chores with her mother being more relaxed. Many times, she would find herself in the fields along with the firuns. Firuns were peaceful herbivore eating species used by almost every farmer. Their meat was worthless, but they provided top quality milk, and their heavy coats could make the best cloth crafting material. They were quite large because of eating over sixty kilos of grass per day. Even their fat would make low-quality lamp oil.

Fake smiles and laughing were there most of the time, for neither could forget the night she arrived and the day that was yet to come.

Ai’nil, though, was no fool to see they were avoiding her or filling her with even more lies about what the mark on her shoulder was. Winter after winter, a cheerful house turned into a nightmare, with her parents feeling sad and the lies wearing in their souls. She had asked them countless times what was wrong since even trying their best to seem happy; they kept failing.   Even more so, the excuses drove her off completely. If she could only know the truth. After the eleventh winter, the arguments between them about the mark became more frequent. Ai’nil would find herself on top of her favorite tree overlooking the entire village, and the two suns spreading warm rays to the vast forests. Sometimes she would even spend the entire night trying to soak it all in.

Secretly, she was reading many mystical books and folk stories. Still, there was not a single reference about the mark, making her wonder even more. The final week of the fifteenth winter, she was barely talking to them. She could recall how everything just kept getting darker and darker but they only worsened after the twelfth. She was hating them for concealing the truth and even whispering to each other. Although, the dreadful day that everyone was waiting, was finally here and began with a gentle... nudge.

Izil, with her entire body feeling weak, and her heart beating slowly, stood for a moment above Ai'nil's bed admiring her. How peacefully she slept, how comfortably. She recalled all the beautiful times they spent, the three of them, and especially the first ten circles. Even though she raised her from a newborn, she couldn’t help but feel she did not know her at all. Who was she, where did she come from, who were her parents? So close she was, and yet so far.

Mustering all the courage she had left, she leaned over, kissing her forehead one last time before nudging her gently with trembling hands.

Come on, sweetie. Wake up, my darling. Izil spoke, and her voice sounded like a bitterly forgotten melody.

Ai’nil stretched and pulled the furs back up, kicking her legs, annoyed and looking out the window for a second.

Leave me alone already, the skies are dark, and I don’t have to go with him hunting! she protested, smacking the bed.

He is your father, and you should show some respect, young lady. He forgot something in the cave east from here in the mountains and wants you to retrieve it. It’s a family heirloom, and extremely important to us all. Izil scowled at her, furrowing her brows.

Then why he forgot it in the first place? He can go get it himself.

Watch your tongue, please. Your father is getting old, you know. Plus he came home late last night.

Two emerald eyes opened, glaring at her mother. Curse it all. Fine! She stood up with many exaggerated sighs followed along with eyes rolling. Her body had first contact with the room’s cold. She had long dark brown hair and a thin oval-shaped face with the finely shaped brows matching perfectly with her large wide eyes. First came a warm shirt made from Firun skin and brown leather pants with extra fur inside for better protection against the cold.

She grabbed her sturdy elbow caps from the nightstand and wore them, accepting some of her mother’s help. Then she almost ripped her long sleeveless coat from the wall hanger, wearing it nervously.

Where is my belt! she demanded to know, frantically looking around.

After the incident three cycles back which resulted in getting trapped in a cave because of an argument with her parents she had never really forgave them and her anger and hatred only grew bigger. She knew that particular cave could collapse any moment but went there regardless to prove she had grown up by now. Of course they asked the entire village to assist but the shock of being trapped there for a whole day never wore off.

Under the bed which you tossed it yesterday. Please calm down, okay?

She wore it on top of her coat before tying on the side a green velvet cloth. Actually, it was the same cloth they found her with, and she obsessed with carrying it at all times. Just like her father, everything she wore was perfectly weighted to not slow her down. Her utility belt was comprised of a combination of square and round leather pouches filled with arrowheads or medicinal plants, a water flask, and her father’s hunting knife, among other personal stuff.

I don’t think you will go that far without your knee-high boots, sweetie.

Damn it! she screamed, nearly ripping them apart as she pulled them, only to end up getting hit in the face with one of them. She put them on and darted outside, only to stop on the spot, seeing her father sitting on a kitchen chair. The characteristics on his face were so dark that Ai’nil’s heart skipped some bits.

Are you... She gulped. Are you okay? she asked in a shaky voice, as it replaced her anger with fear and worry.

I am dear, I am. And... He was interrupted by a mood swinging Ai’nil, who was angry again.

Stop lying, damn it, for once, just stop! she yelled at him. You were never good at it, anyway. She finished, and actually, the statement made was not far from the truth at all.

Jash ignored her for a second as his eyes drifted to his wife, who was leaning in the door frame crying silently in pain, then back to his daughter.

It won’t matter soon anyway. His reply came with sadness and something dark that was yet to come.

Ai’nil’s face went pale, and cold sweat ran slowly down her spine upon hearing those words for a second. It terrified her to ask the next question, but somehow she did.

Father, you are scaring me. What do you mean, did we anger the Gods or something? By the time she completed her sentence, fear was almost showering her, and her body felt weaker.

Jash let out a sigh and stood up, giving her something long and covered in velvet lying on the table.

Happy birthday, my daughter. He managed to say while his arms wrapped gently around her into a hug. Go on, open it.

Impatient as ever, not knowing if she should feel happy or not, she unfolded it. A beautiful bow was there, carved with strange runes all across its body made from white wood and a brown, sturdy leather quiver filled with arrows. A small gasp escaped her lips in amazement as she stood in awe before her eyes met his.

This is the most expensive wood to find in the entire realm. It must have cost you a fortune! I mean, thank you!

Now, young lady, you should not concern yourself with that stuff. A guy owed me a favor. He stopped abruptly as his neck tightened, and his tears were just about to show. It took most of his strength to hide them and at the time seemed harder than fighting.

Then the girl felt two soft hands putting something around her back. It was a light brown nakun cloak covering most of her body and tying it up around her neck with a thick silver cord.

Mother, what are you... these gifts are so expensive to get! Why? She did not reply, but gave her an oversized backpack.

The backpack’s leather is enchanted, preventing it from getting wet from rain or even underwater. I put food and water supplies to it, some medical ones, and two or maybe three outfits, all included. Oh, and the magic sack in case you get hungry, alright? Happy birthday. She smiled as brightly as she could, but the sadness was clear in her glistering wet eyes.

Ai’nil felt a tight knob in her stomach and could not answer why this whole thing seemed like a goodbye more than a fetch whatever her father lost.

I am just going to the forsaken cave to get the heirloom and come back. No matter how slow I go, I will be back at night. Why are you giving me all this? she asked with cheeks flushing and hands that became fists.

It’s winter, my dear, many dangers, and you might need to light up a fire on the journey to warm up, Izil replied, although she knew Ai’nil could clearly see through their lies.

Promise me when I come back the lies will end! Thank you for the gifts, but if you want to offer something real, tell me what the mark is! she barked, stomping her foot hard on the ground, unable to hold back her frustration any longer.

We never lied to you about it. Go before I yell at you on your birthday! Jash demanded, landing his fist on the table.

Cursing under her teeth, everything known and unknown to the Kingdom of Man, she darted outside, shutting the door behind her with so much force that for a moment thought it was broken. It was just when the two suns were rising in the sky, and the temperature was so low that it made the skin on her face hurt. The snow was reaching a little higher than her ankles, which meant a challenging climb to the cave.

She eyed the enormous Everfrost mountain and felt overwhelmed by its size.

And then she began, seemingly to pick up her father’s heirloom but, in reality, to reach the place that would change her life forever.

It had only been a few hours that the suns were upon this wounded family’s dirty windows. Still, it seemed like an eternity from their perspective.

Izil was on Ai’nil’s bed, hugging her furs and trying to memorize the scent she had left in them, crying unstoppably. To lose their second child it was devastating causing even more pain to a past they were so desperately trying to forget. She was a faithful one in believing in their Gods, but the one she needed in particular now was Etris. She was the Goddess of forgiveness and second chance. So, she prayed. She prayed so hard for her daughter to be spared and endure the hardships that were to follow.

Jash, on the other hand, with his body tense as never before, poured some of the almost empty rum in his cup and downed it in one shot. His eyes were red from tears as well, hurting him after so many hours. Rare were the times that he would cry for he has seen a lot, but when it came for his own daughter, even if she never really was his, it brought him down to his knees all the same.

Sweet and funny memories kept dancing in his mind like ladies around a campfire. Each one of them unique and unreplaceable. How could he do that? Countless times in the war, he came face to face with enemies that he would swear death was right next to him waiting, and he prevailed. The more he was thinking of it, the angrier he would get. Mostly with himself that she simply let her go—his adopted daughter, of all people. And the blaming of himself worsened as doubts rushed into his tired mind like a deadly poison in his bloodstream. Did he train her well enough? Did he give her all the knowledge he could in the allotted time for her survival? Could she get over the shock of killing someone?

His feet were drumming, and no matter what he would do, the idea that he failed as a father would not go away. Only when his hand turned into a tight fist and his narrowed eyes locked at the door, only then he realized his life stopped being his own fifteen winters ago. Every breath he took since the day he found her was for Ai’nil, and if laying down his life could provide her with even a minute more to live, he would gladly give it away.

He stood and picked up the table, tossing it upon the kitchen walls, followed by a cry of pain filled with rage. Izil almost had a heart attack from his sudden outburst appearing on the door frame, with her chest heaving from fear.

What are you doing!? she demanded angrily, now worrying about her beloved husband as well. Jash ignored her for a moment and, like an arrow, bolted to their bedroom, picking up daggers and swords, arming himself up.

He stopped outside when his eyes met with those of Izil, covering her mouth and crying in disbelief.

I am not letting our child go Gods know where just because a mad witch asked for it! he roared, although not particularly at her.

You know what she said! We will provoke their wrath! When did provoking the Gods ended well!? she replied in vain and frustration, trying to stop him from something she knew there was no stopping.

I don’t give a firun’s fart what they say anymore! And the wrath will fall on me. You are staying here! Did you write those letters?

I did as you instructed me, yes. She bobbed her head nervously before continuing. How are you going to reach her? She is hours away!

Rush and give one of them to the messenger and place the other one where I told you so once I leave. There was a brief pause before he spoke again. The val master owes me a favor. He better have no problems lending me one

Fear made almost his heart stop in the realization that he might be seeing his wife for the last time. The next moment he knew, he found himself kissing her hard.

If we are not back by nightfall...run. Run and never come back! Promise me, Izil, promise me! he demanded, widening his eyes.

She hugged him tightly, repeating many times ‘yes’ between tears. Bring our daughter back home, Jash. If anyone can do it, it’s you!

Not long after, he stopped breathlessly in front of the val master’s door and began banging on it as hard as possible.

Bado, open up, old man, come on! The sounds of someone stumbling upon clutter and objects smashing could be heard outside as the poor man rushed to meet his unexpected visitor. Even when he finally opened the door, Jash was so hasty that he kept banging.

I am here, I am here, damn you, just stop! he complained, annoyed and cranky as ever. He had the type of face of a man who woke up from a nightmare, only to realize it was real.

I need you to give me the fastest and strongest val you have! Ai’nil is in grave danger! he demanded instead of asking. Feeling his entire body paralyzed just by the thought of what might happen if he did not reach her in time.

Bado’s eyes widened, and for a moment, felt the same fear. He knew the girl well, and more often than not, she would spend most of her days learning about those beautiful animals.

Follow me, he spoke firmly and made his way to the back of the house where the stables were. He tried to calm the vals, getting upset from the rush and picking up their feelings until he stopped to the one in the far end to the right. Jash needed no special invitation, as he had already climbed before Bado could even open the whole gate.

Thank you, old man!

Just bring your daughter back safely, alright? Godspeed!

Hold on my girl, I am coming!

The weather got far worse down to a snowstorm, but it was as if the val felt the importance of the situation running as fast as possible. It had gently wrapped its durable tentacles around the wrists of his rider for more control.

Knowing those forests like the back of his palm helped him a lot in a dire situation. The only way to close the massive distance gap was to pass through the gaur territories. He had to kill some of them while mounting, and a male one gave him a good scratch on his arm. But not even twenty hits like that were enough to stop him from reaching Ai’nil in time right now.

His heart was pounding fast in fear, and his mind was a raging river of thoughts tearing through every possible scenario. How would she feel knowing she never met her birth family and was sent here by a Creator? Could she ever forgive them? Memories took control, taking him back to the past.

No matter how many times either he or Izil tried to tell her the truth, something would occur, interrupting it. Either on purpose or not, there was no way to know for sure, but it was merely another reason to despise that Creator all the more.

The cold was intense, but he had some sort of immunity to it for the best hunting was in the winter. He also just could not care less now. After quite some time, when the terrain began changing, and he knew he was getting closer, he started yelling her name at the top of his lungs.

Ai’nil!! Ai’nil! But the snowstorm was getting worse. As if everything right now was trying to prevent him from reaching her.

Not far from there, Ai’nil, grumpy as ever, made way towards the mountain with difficulty, with the thickness of the snow making it hard to walk and reaching almost below her knee.

She had her birthday today. Instead of being happy, hatred consumed her for her family and a feeling in her gut repeatedly gnawing her insides. A hatred she could not understand where it really came from. Could her father have spoken the truth? Could he really not know the truth about what this damned mark was? Did she blame them for no reason this whole time? Just the idea of it made the girl feel weak and showered by shame. Then she recalled how many times she caught them whispering to each other. What could be so awful that forced her stepparents to go through an ordeal like that? Doubt carved deeper into her soul, wondering if she had eventually turned paranoid.

Something came with the wind, though, which made her stop on the spot and widen her eyes in fear. It came as a faint whisper, but undoubtedly it was her father’s voice, and it sounded anything but good.

FATHER!? she screamed, but the sounded got buried by those of the wind. She swirled around herself, trying to pinpoint the sound source, and put her hands around her lips like a cup, screaming once more to be heard.

Father! I am here! she cried, wiping her face and putting her arm as a cover in her temple. Just as she was about to yell again, mighty hooves could be felt, and soon the val and the rider came into eye contact.

Jash felt immense relief to see his daughter again, but his faced showed the imminent danger looming. A look Ai’nil had seen many times before.

Listen to me, Ai’nil, to whatever I hold most sacred, and this is you and your mother. Gods be my witness, I will tell you everything! Hold nothing back, but you cannot go into this damned cave. Never! He stretched his hand to assist her in climbing the val.  

Fear rushed down her body with the hearing of those words and a terrible realization that she could not move a muscle from seer fear. Did he really have the answers she was looking for? Why could she not go into that cave and her mom giving her a backpack full of necessities before leaving? By now, she was not even sure she wanted to know