Hawk of Peace

By Alessandra I. Maldonado

I remember it so clearly. That little girls life . . . my life . . . what it used to be. The old me died there on that dreadful day. And to that life. I will never return.

On her sixteenth birthday, Reveliss happy life takes a horrible turn. She is desperately being searched for by Shemthe dictator who is taking total control of Jegarin order to get the codes that are locked inside her mind. Her long-forgotten past of being the princess of Eliphaz as well as the greatest Jenox soldier has come back to change her life forever. While she is on the run, she unlocks more memories of her past that allow her to know more about who she is and that raise more questions of what she should do.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781490785882

Alessandra I. Maldonado

Author of Fire Bolt, Alessandra Ivette Madonado, is a Protestant, Puerto Rican American. Hawk of Peace is her second novel for your adults and teenagers. Alessandra is currently writing other books of a variety of genres and has ideas for even more.

Book preview

HAWK

OF

PEACE

Alessandra I Maldonado

© Copyright 2018 Alessandra Maldonado.

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

Print information available on the last page.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8587-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8589-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8588-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017917713

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Trafford rev. 07/24/2018

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

To my unforgettable friends and family

Special Th

anks

First, I thank God for having me be bored that one Sunday afternoon when I was about ten years old, and putting this story in my mind. I never knew that this story will become my favorite story God ever helped me write.

Thank you to all my friends and family for their support and rooting for me to get this book finished. Thanks to Vanessa Villasenor for the amazing book cover.

A special and huge THANK YOU to my editors, Krisy Dihn and J. T. Wagner. Taking time out of your busy lives to read this book and help me make it the best it can be before publication.

Thanks to the World of Steam museum exhibit that inspired the Hawk Of Peace world.

A final thanks to all the readers. Just picking up this book and reading it greatly supports my work.

prologue.jpg

Prologue

I remember it so clearly. That little girl’s life… my life… what it used to be. The old me died there on that dreadful day. And to that life, I will never return.

Jegar. My earth. It’s in the peak of industrialization. Inventions thrive.

Everyone learns the history of their world at some point when they are young. Today, is my turn.

Daddy, King Jetheth Tidai, points at the map of our world that a palace servant brought in. We are in the large meeting room in my godfather’s palace, waiting for it to be time for the kings to gather and talk about king stuff.

Long ago,—he begins—this world was filled with people. But they were all divided. A massive war of great, and terrible weapons killed off almost all of them. He walked over the table I was sitting at. Daddy pushed the bottles of different chemicals inside them, towards me. Those weapons contaminated air and ground. It caused diseases and plague that killed more people. He went back to the map. The last of the people died as the world was repairing itself. Changing.

I know something about this. Creatures and food changed too. They ad…ada— I just learned that word. It’s hard to say.

Daddy nods and smiles at me trying to say the word. "Adapted to the changing world. The sun turned white. A second, silver moon appeared much closer to Jegar. Living things combined with other species—plants with plants, animals with other animals. Then he moved his hand around the map. Land on this planet moved around—grew, or went away. The north continent melted away. He pointed at the blank space on top of the map. Islands, tiny areas if land, disappeared under the sea. Hundreds to thousands of years past before Creator God made us again, to walk the earth and take care of this land, the animals, and each other. In time, we adapted. With faith and science keeping us thriving. We created the five kingdoms."

One kingdom for each continent, I say. I jump off my chair, run to the map. I name each one, and their capitals. Beker. I point at continent in middle of map. The capital is Thage.

And who’s king of it now? Daddy asks.

King Loph. I point to the bottom continent on the map. Nahor. King Zephyr I lives in the capital, Elah. My finger moves up and to the left. Citra. Capital is Welher. Where are in Welher now. In King Nephah Gorrem’s palace.

Nephah is your… He wants me to finish the sentence.

Godfather.

Daddy smiles and nods. That’s right. And how about this one. He points to the smallest continent at the top left of the map.

Calveris. Laute is the capital and King Phoron rules there.

And the last one?

Last, is the biggest continent. It covers most of the right side of the map, and the top left side of it too. We live here! Eliphaz! We live in the capital, Prymus. And Prymus is also the capital of the world! I lift my arms wide to show him how big the world is. My arms lower when I see another servant pick up the bottles from the table and take it away.

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Daddy pats my head. Very good. And we maintain our peace in the world. We always talk to each other and hold meetings. He looks at the nearest clock. Which will start any minute now.

To talk about stopping the bad man? I wonder.

Daddy takes my hand and takes me back to my chair. He sits me down. Yes, the bad man. But other things too.

Daddy found out about the bad man with a last name Shem organizing a great army in one of the kings’ monthly councils a while back. I was a toddler then. Daddy helped the kings set up their own private fighting group called Jagui, the defenders of the world’s monarchies.

The Jaguis are taught how to use weapons efficiently, strategic skills, and more.

A few months ago, I overheard a servant say, the peaceful world of Jegar is gone.

The Jagui needed better weapons to fight Shem. Swords, guns, bombs, and more were invented, bringing militarism—I heard that term from a king—to the world. The Jagui are intelligent individuals that proudly wear their signature tattoo on their left shoulder. Daddy describes it as an intricate, thick, double-edged sword with light-gray wings.

At the same time, Daddy began his own special soldiers besides the Jagui. His soldiers are named Jenox, a type of Jagui trained since childhood. They’ve all the training and abilities of a Jagui, but as an instinct. They’re faster, stronger, and smarter—a genius fighter. The signature tattoo of a Jenox is a double bladed, single-edged sword breaking through a large gear.

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The other kings enter the room.

Daddy welcomes them. He explains that this meeting’s to check up on each others’ progress. He also wants to tell them the new plans he has for Jegar.

All sit down in their chairs around a triangular, water-pearl table. Some of their eyes fall on me. They’re probably wondering why I’m here.

I think Daddy wants me to see what these meeting are like. Another lesson to learn for my future.

Daddy begins the meeting. Thank you all for coming. The expression on his light-skinned face shows that he knows the other kings want to say something to him. First, is there anything someone would like to ask?

Silence.

How’s everyone’s army? Daddy inquires.

The kings nod, silently telling Daddy that all’s going well.

Daddy seems disturbed with this. He combed back one of his short black hairs out of his face.Please, I insist you speak your mind. What do you think these meetings are for?

Finally, one speaks.

I believe this is in everyone’s mind, King Phoron says. He presses his hands on the table as he stands. He has very dark skin, but light-brown hair and beard.

What’s the question? Daddy faces him.

You have your Jenoxes—great and powerful fighters. This is supposed to be a world of equality throughout the kingdoms. Your army makes ours unequal to yours. This concerns us. It feels like your kingdom, if ours fall under Shem, will be the only one left standing,—Phoron gulps in what he was about to say—or if our peace were to be shattered amongst each other, your army will eradicate ours.

Daddy stops Phoron with a wave of his hand. I’ll never allow the peace among our kingdoms to shatter. I understand your concern. He turns to the other kings. "All of your concerns. The Jenox was a creation that will give us the upper hand against Shem if the Jagui failed. Craig Shem is a military man himself. He’s very skilled. He’s a fighter and a weapons specialist who rose from my kingdom. Daddy pauses. I’m ashamed that a citizen of my country’s trying to disturb our peace. Daddy turns serious again. He gestures at the closest palace maid to bring in the ten-year-old, Jenox boy that came with us. I brought Caliber with us to show you a demonstration. He is one of our eldest Jenoxes in the program."

The boy walks in and stands near the kings.

Daddy turns back to the kings. Shem has trained his followers extremely well in combat and his numbers are increasing by the hour in every kingdom. His armies will be just as good as our Jaguis. The Jenox army’s made with a formula that enhances almost every function, every muscle, and every movement in their body. It took Prince Zephyr II and me a very long time to create it and make it work effectively. Only children can be able to withstand it, since they are still in their initial growing stage. Teenagers and adults will die almost immediately after the formula begins to take effect. Daddy walks to Caliber. Everyone’s eyes follow him.

Another maid brings a standing, wooden log with many short poles sticking out of it in every direction. Jenoxes use this to practice fighting.

Caliber is ten years old, Daddy tells the kings. We gave him, along with the other first recruits, the Jenox formula when he turned seven years of age. He nods to Caliber and steps back.

Caliber fights the wooden log. He’s very skilled with his form and techniques. I know I can do better though. Daddy showed me all those moves.

The kings applaud when Caliber finishes his performance.

"They also are taught specific Jenox lessons to create a better soldier that is loyal to only the kings and kingdoms. They will mainly protect the king and kingdom they are born from." Daddy nods at Caliber.

Caliber begin to say all the Jenox lessons. He starts with the first lesson to obeying every command all the way to the sixth of showing no emotions. Caliber also states the reason behind every lesson.

The kings nod as they hear Caliber speak. They like the lessons a lot.

Thank you, Caliber. Daddy excuses Caliber to go back the boat.

Caliber bows to Daddy and the kings before he leaves.

The maid who brought the wooden training device comes back and takes it away.

Daddy walks back to the table. I want to still work on the Jenoxes and see their progress with the formula, before I—

"They’re amazing! The children are just as good as an adult Jagui. Imagine how they will be like when they’re older—in their late teenage years and on. Your eldest Jenoxes are almost in their teens. Imagine Rebecca! She’s the youngest and the best out of all of them!" I see King Phoron point at me when he said that. I look at Daddy’s serious expression. It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking about.

Phoron sighs. You’ve had these Jenoxes for a very long time now and we’ve been very patient. I want to ask if you’ll share the Jenoxes with the rest of the kings, so we all could have equal strength in our militarism.

That was what I wanted to discuss, Daddy murmurs.

King Phoron sits back down.

I catch Daddy’s almost silent groan.

I really wanted to study the Jenoxes more before I declared the formula safe to pass on to you. However, Shem’s nearly upon us. He takes a quick pause. I agree to give you the formula. Also, let’s not use that term ‘militarism’—we don’t want to insinuate that we’re preparing for a world war. It sounds as if we’re going to fight against each other. Daddy presses both of his palms on the table. Putting that subject aside, I’d like to talk to you all about currency. Our talismans should be incorporated into our currency to have another mark of our kingdom.

Each kingdom has their own talisman to represent their kingdom. Citra’s soil is the best in the world. Thus, Citra’s talisman is an engraved picture of a field full of crops being harvested. Nahor’s is a large, marble, snow leopard-bear since it’s the rarest animal in that continent. Beker’s is scenery of one of its famous beaches—that kingdom is very tropical. Calveris is known for its iron. On a large diamond-shaped iron slate is a laminated picture of a small army of armadillo-ants. Lastly, Eliphaz’s talisman is an engraving of a golden hawk with its wings stretched high above its head. Daddy told me that it’s ironic that I was born with a birthmark on my middle lower back that looks like it. The hawk in the talisman is the rare, but eye-capturing Golden Robo Hawk that makes the world capital, Prymus, their home.

The kings rub their chins—they like the idea.

It would look something like this. Jetheth shows the kings a piece of gold flattened into an octagon. It has Eliphaz’s talisman engraving on it.

The kings squint their eyes to see it. Daddy passes it around.

It would be the same price as a gold nugget, Daddy continues.

The King of Citra speaks as he observes the coin in his right thumb and index finger. If each kingdom will have a different mark on their coin, how will the vendors react? Wouldn’t they want to accept currency that is only from their own country? He always looked so bright to me with his blonde hair, shaved face, and white skin. He wore white a lot too.

Very true, King Gorrem. Jetheth squats down to my height. Rebecca? He shows me his hand.

I know what he wants—the flat, silver, oval-shaped thing I’m hanging on to. I glance at it in my left hand. It has tiny numbers cut through it and other writings. I look back at Daddy and give it to him.

Thank you. He kisses me on the forehead and stands back up. He passes the flat oval around. This is a card that will help store the citizens’ money and help them be able to convert however much money they want to take out of their bank to their desired currency. It will make things easier.

The kings agree to the new idea.

Excellent. So, is there anything else anyone wants to talk about before we conclude this meeting? Daddy asks.

Nothing.

Very well. I’ll send everyone the Jenox formula in two days. And since each of you gave me a few of your young citizens to test out the formula, I’ll return them to you and they’ll be your first Jenoxes. Remember, the formula must be given only to children from ages four to seven, never after. I’ll keep communication with all of you to hear about your progress with the currency and formula.

The kings nod and stand to their feet. The meeting’s over.

All the kings continue on building up their countries, making it better and better, until the day that broke the world. That day—two years later—when Prymus falls and my life changes forever.

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Chapter 1

I sit at the edge of my bed. I hear Mommy talking with one of her advisors outside my door, Kahn. It doesn’t seem like they’re having a good talk. I stretch my little body and catch my reflection on the quartz-glass doors that lead to my balcony—light, tan skin; reddish-brown hair up to my shoulders and my famous, chrome-colored eyes. My hearing’s real good. I catch everything they’re saying.

I’m sorry, Queen Ketura, but you and your daughter are all that is left, I hear Kahn say to Mommy.

I hear Mommy cry. I get off of bed and walk to the door. My steps are quiet.

Don’t worry, I’ll tell Rebecca if you can’t, Kahn says.

I hear him put his hand on the door handle. Without thinking, I run back to my bed.

The door makes a low breathing sound when it opens. I’m the only one who hears it.

Kahn smiles at first, but it goes away almost ten seconds later. He sits down next to me. "Procer¹… Rebecca… I’m very sorry, but something terrible has happened to your father."

I look at Kahn. Is Daddy okay? When’s he coming back?

Becca, please… listen first. He swallows. King Jetheth is not coming back. He was killed. Kahn looks away. I guess he thought I was about to cry. He seems shocked to see that I’m not.

I don’t cry. Or whine. Or laugh. Or smile. I don’t yell when I’m mad or scream when I’m scared. I don’t show any emotions at all to anyone except only Mommy or Daddy when no one else is around. Daddy taught me. The only expression that appears on my face is what Daddy calls the Jenox expression which is a serious-type face.

Kahn talks again. Your father was killed on his way here by Shem and some of his followers. I’m sorry.

I see Mommy walk into my room with tears running down her cheeks. Her sandals swish as they drag on the shiny floor. I also see Kahn peeking at my right hand with the Jenox tattoo.

His voice is so calm when he speaks. Rebecca, did your father ever tell you what to do if this ever happened?

Immediately, Mommy grabs Kahn and pulls him up to his feet. Don’t you dare tell those things to my daughter! she yells at him.

Y-Your Excellency—!? He’s in shock at Mommy’s actions.

I don’t show I’m shocked too.

Mommy grabs his left arm and takes him out my room, shutting the door behind her.

You’re not to encourage my daughter to do those things! She’s only six years old! she loudly orders. Rebecca has gone through enough already!

I overhear a part of what Mommy says, but I hate when Mommy yells. I don’t feel good when Mommy’s mad. I sneak out to my balcony and climb to the roof of my room that’s at the top of the palace. It’s my favorite place to be. I look at the beautiful stars. There are more stars than last night. It helps me relax and calm down the emotions that want to show themselves. This time, it’s sadness. My eyes are starting to burn. The tears are forming. I don’t want to cry. I mustn’t cry! I shouldn’t cry. I breathe slowly. Jenox lesson number six: Do not reveal your emotions. Emotions show weakness, I whisper as I rub my eyes to stop tears from coming out. But it still hurts. I lay down and it slowly starts going away.

After a couple minutes of watching the stars, a young hawk falls next me.

Usually, this type of thing scares people, but I don’t get scared anymore. I sit up. Are you okay?

The hawk doesn’t answer, only looks at me, mad.

I check the feathery creature with my eyes—an injured wing and a scratched, left leg. Hmph… I rip off a strip of my shirt and bandage the hawk’s wounds. It’s too hurt to move, so it was easy to bandage it. There, you must be all better now.

The hawk stands up with its eyes staying on me. Maybe it thinks I might do something to it.

I’m not going to hurt you, I tell it.

It looks at my bandage work.

Daddy taught me how to fix, heal, and dress my own wounds. I think I’m good enough to do it to others too.

I know I’m not supposed to show emotion, but I smile to make the hawk feel safe with me. You’re a Golden Robo Hawk, aren’t you? Daddy said you birds are very rare. I never thought I’d ever see one.

Robo is the other word used to mean small. These are the smallest kind of hawks in Jegar.

I breathe out before I look back at the stars. Daddy said to everyone here to keep away from you guys. He says you need your space and also that you can become very mean, especially the babies because of your parents. Parents are protective over their kids; even my people’s parents are like that. I look back to the hawk. You’re a very beautiful bird. The hawk has a gold tail, gold feather tips, and light reddish-brown color. You must be a two-month-old, male hawk, right? I had a feeling it was a male because of the extra-shine of his feathers. The shine’s to get a hawk wife.

The hawk gives a bow.

This really surprises me. I slowly stretch out my hand to pet him, but I stop before touching him. I should ask first, so he won’t see me as a threat. May I?

The hawk lowers his head.

His soft feathers feel like neo-silk; his eyes glimmer brightly in the moonlight and under his feathers is very warm. Do you have a name?

The hawk shakes his head. He understands me!

You want one? I ask.

The hawk gives a short screech. I think he means ‘yes’.

Okay… you’re mostly gold, so… ‘Oros’. Like it?

The hawk nods and walks closer to me. He gives me a curious look.

You want to know my name?

Oros nods.

Mm… I see the silver shine of the closest moon sparkle my skin. I look up to the silver moon with a smile. You’re gold and I’m silver. I look back at Oros. My name’s Rebecca Tidai, but I like ‘Revelis’. Daddy called me that once. I think it’s a special name of mine.

Oros gives a high call and a medium screech, and a low creak, saying Revelis.

I smile because I understand what he’s saying. I stop when I notice a gold mark that looked like Eliphaz’s talisman. Hey, I have that too, but as a birthmark. I lift my shirt and turn my back to him so he can see it. I see Oros’s confused expression. I think I know what he’s thinking—birthmarks are usually not silver. Daddy tattooed over it. He outlined the shape and colored it in. It used to be light brown. Now, it’s silver.

Becca! I hear Mommy call from below. Get down from there; it’s time for you to go to bed.

I lean forward to see Mommy standing on the balcony of my room. Mommy, look, I made a friend. His name is Oros! Look at how beautiful he is!

Oros flies to show himself to Mommy. My shirt bandage is thin enough to let him still fly around with it on.

I see a mix of happiness and shock in her eyes. I think the happiness is that I made a friend—my first friend I ever made. I’m not a person many kids want to be with. Even the other Jenox kids I trained with never wanted to be friends. Plus, it’s bad to have relationships. That’s Jenox lesson number five. A hawk friend shouldn’t count, right? The shock, I think it was for making friends with a baby Golden Robo Hawk without getting attacked by the baby or the parents. I wonder where Oros’s parents are.

Yes, Becca, that’s very nice. Now, get down from there and go to bed.

Okay, okay.

Oros lands on my lap. He wants me to pet him again—another thing that shocks Mommy.

Goodnight, Oros. It was a pleasure to meet you and become your friend.

He chirps happily. He must be happy to be my friend too. He hops off my lap.

I jump down from the roof to the balcony. Mommy leads me into my room. See you later, Oros! I tell him before Mommy closes the doors to the balcony.

I feel the earth shaking below me while I’m resting. There’s the sound of pecking on the doors leading to the balcony. I hear the doors open—someone used the handle—and Oros’s voice rings in my ear. He keeps calling me by the name Revelis. I moan and try to ignore it, but Oros rubs his head on my cheek. That makes me open my eyes. Hm? Oros looks like he was scared. He keeps pointing his beak to my balcony and back at me. What it is?

He flies to my balcony and calls me.

I get out of bed and walk to where Oros is. I look at the gates of my home city, Prymus. There, Shem barges through the gates of this indestructible city between Mount Invin and Mount Cible. He and his army, like a flood, begin to kill all the people who are in their path. They’re heading to the palace.

Oros chirps in different notes.

Trouble! This is bad. Our eyes meet each other. That’s the man who killed Daddy.

Kahn enters my room. Rebecca! Get back in here, quickly!

Oros hops on my shoulder as I do what Kahn says.

Kahn rushes to my closet, grabs one of my jackets and boots, and gives them to me. You got to go before they make it into the palace! Quick! Put this on!

I do. What about Mommy? I see a worried expression on his face. I’m fast to know what it means. She’s not coming.

Kahn shakes his head, confirming my answer. Let’s go. Kahn isn’t the type who would leave her to be killed. Mommy must have ordered him to save me—to get me out of here. She must believe what Daddy believed. I’m the most important person in this world. I think I know why they would believe that after what’s happening.

We run out the door and Oros flies behind me. We go to the stable in the basement of the palace.

We all hear a large commotion above.

Shem got inside, Kahn whispers. He turns to me. I can see he’s getting used to me not showing any emotions. In fact, I think he wonders if I even feel anything. Procer,—he tells me—take your Oryx-horse and get out of here!

I see Oros fly to my white, Oryx-horse Kahn points to and land on its back. What about you? You can’t stay here all alone.

There’s no other choice! Kahn gets a sword from behind a haystack. His golden, chest plate vest sparkles under the hanging light bulbs. His black, leather pants shine in the patterned parts as well.

We hear Shem’s soldiers very close.

I’ll hold them off for you. Go!

And Mommy? You’re not going to protect her?

"It’s too late for her now. Besides, it’s you she wants to keep alive. You have to survive this."

I hear Oros screeching for me to get on my Oryx-horse.

"Go, Procer Rebecca, and forget! Forget about all of this like your mother would have wanted. Forget who you are! Forget your name! Forget everything—everything that has to do with you being the Procer, everything that reminds you of your life here in Prymus! Everything! ALIENO QUOD LICENTIA IS LOCUS!²"

Immediately, my body stands up straight. My pupils dilate. I feel my mind begin to lock every memory in my mind. The order will be fulfilled no matter what, I say.

Oros calls me again.

I jump on my Oryx-horse and ride away.

Every few steps my Oryx-horse makes, I see another memory go away. I look around me—burning buildings, houses and streets dirtied with blood. Even from where I’m at—I’m running away through the open field into the forest, west of the palace—I can see blood splash out of the citizens being killed in the city. Prymus’s famous buildings are crumbling down. Animals are squealing and being killed. It’s horrible!

Lastly, I see her—Ketura, Queen of Eliphaz. I still haven’t forgotten her. She’s on the large, ivory-pearl balcony that looks over the city. She looks sad at what’s happening. Shem’s behind her. His mouth’s moving. He’s talking to her. Her mouth moves too. I can’t make out what they’re saying from where I am—Daddy taught me to read lips. She sees me stopping at the entrance of the forest, staring back at her. I catch her smile—that beautiful, loving smile that I always loved. I’m about to smile back until something stops me—the sight of Shem’s single-edged sword going through Mommy’s body. What an ugly thing to see, but it doesn’t hurt me. No emotion goes through me. That woman who was just killed by Shem… I don’t know her. I see her fall on the floor of the balcony when Shem pulls his sword out of her body and raises it high above him.

I don’t know the palace. It’s beautiful! Ivory-pearl columns, gold and silver designs, and quartz-diamond walls. This palace sparkles in the silver moonlight. Unforgettable! I wish I could see what the inside looks like, but something’s telling me to run away from that beautiful palace and I do.

I hear Shem’s voice echo in the woods through the speakers back at the palace.

Eliphaz is ours! Next Jegar! He also says something about bringing real peace to the world, but I don’t listen. I focus on getting away.

About two hours and one-hundred-thirty-six miles of riding west, I reach the sight of another city. I know it. Ludites, an urban city that’s the top locomotive transportation place in Eliphaz. Almost everything and everyone heading to Prymus arrives here.

The loud squeals of the locomotives make the Oryx-horse jump up on its two back legs. I lose my grip on the Oryx-horse’s hair and fall back landing on something hard on the floor.

Everything goes black, but I still hear Oros calling my name. Why can’t I answer? I feel him touching my cheek with his beak, but, still, I can’t answer. Finally, I go to sleep.

I see a bright light. Feel a strong wind hit my face. Am I dead? Is this heaven? God, Creator God, are you going to take me to them? I have a big feeling I’m alone and need to be with some people. Two people. I feel like an orphan. No, I think I am an orphan. Please, take me to them. I don’t want to be an orphan. I want to be with them. Take me to them. Take me—

Hey, are you okay? I hear a woman ask.

A feeling of a grip on my left shoulder wakes me up. I’m not dead. Errm… I open my eyes. A young woman’s looking right at me. W-where am I?

You’re in Ludites. You were unconscious. You must have had a nasty fall on these nut-granite stairs, she answers.

I rub the right side of my head that hit the stairs. I feel the bump. It hurts a lot when I touch it. Ouch…

You’re not from here, are you? The woman helps me up. I’m Cathy.

I examine Cathy’s appearance without thinking—she looks about five-foot-four in height, blonde hair, maybe twenty-five years old, bluish-green eyes, and white skin. She wears tight, brown jeans and a white jacket over her beige, long-sleeved, loose shirt. Over the shirt is a white-corset-overall with purple string. Her calm and friendly personality makes me feel okay to tell her my name.

I’m… I try to remember it, but nothing comes into my head. What is my name? I turn to Oros. I know him and he knows me. Maybe he remembers. And indeed he does. He helps me remember when he chirps it. I’m Revelis.

That’s a very pretty name. Unusual, but pretty. Where’s your family, Revelis?

I can’t remember. Although, I have a bad feeling I don’t have a family. I-I… don’t know.

You don’t know? Cathy catches a glimpse of the silver tattoo on my right hand. You’re a Jenox?

I am? I lift my right hand to see the tattoo. I am! I know what a Jenox is. Well, I think I do. A fighter, right? A soldier? But I’m too small to be one. Wait, how old am I?

I see Cathy think for a moment. You’re from Prymus, aren’t you?

Am I?

Cathy looks like she remembered something. It looks like she knows me. Y-you’re Procer Reb—

When I hear Procer, my mouth speaks for itself. N-no! My mind and body doesn’t want to hear it. I can’t control myself. I want to know who I am, but then, I don’t. My body’s about to run, but Cathy stops me.

No, wait! It’s okay. Cathy walks closer to me. I know what happened… it’s all over the broadcasting systems!

Happened? W-what happened?! I ask.

I see Cathy think again. She looks confused. She’s probably wondering how I don’t know.

Should I know what happened? Is Prymus the place I was riding my Oryx-horse away from?

Then, I see her remember something else. I think I am thinking the same as her. It’s coming back to me. Jenoxes can be controlled. They obey every command, if ordered right.

We both know someone must’ve ordered me to forget who I am, and I obeyed it.

But why? Why would someone order me to do that!? Why would they want me to forget? What would they want me to forget!?

Cathy takes my hand and says with a smile, Hey, Revelis, it seems like you have no place to go. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll take care of you for a while, I knew your parents. They were very good people. It’s the best I could do for them. C’mon…

I have a feeling that taking care of me would be dangerous. I think I’m someone very important that Shem wants dead. I want to refuse. I don’t want to put anyone in danger. I don’t want others to die because of me. I don’t want Shem to kill this nice lady.

Cathy bends down to my height and combs a bit of my hair with her fingers. Want to come with me?

I nod. I don’t want to be by myself.

She stands up and shows me her hand again for me to take it.

I stare at the road behind me. Prymus is there, I think. That’s where I came from. That beautiful palace I was leaving, I used to live there, didn’t I? I look back at Cathy. She doesn’t want me to be alone, either. She’s offering a home to me.

I give her my hand.

With Oros on my shoulder, I let Cathy take me away.

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Chapter 2

Nine years and four-and-a-half months (there are fourteen months in a year) passes like a leaf caught in the wind. The world’s different. Shem nearly has the whole world under his rule. King Phoron, King Loph, and King Jetheth are dead. Shem killed them.

Only two kingdoms remain. King Zephyr I died the day after Shem took over Prymus. His son, Caps’l Zephyr II, assumed the Nahorian throne. King Gorrem’s still alive. He and Zephyr II are hiding in their kingdoms somewhere. Shem’s still looking for them, not only to kill them, but for something else. What it is, Shem won’t tell. I know it’s extremely important though—important enough to allow him to rule the kingdoms completely if he has it.

Shem forces everyone to listen to his daily broadcasts. He reminds us of how powerful he is and how he’s going to make this world a better place for all of us. To stop the dictatorship of the kings he would say.

Shem continues to recruit new soldiers. Many are joining his side. It’s terrible.

His soldiers rule the streets and molest all who walk it. As long as we keep out of their business, they’ll—hopefully—keep out of ours. They’re very unpredictable.

There are still Jaguis out there fighting back. But sometimes I think that the Jaguis are losing their purpose of fighting. There are some Jaguis that, in fighting the Shimmies, they’re also harming innocent civilians who fall in their way. I’ve seen a couple even kill civilians! Despite those Bad Jaguis I see, I believe there are good ones out there. I do catch some Jaguis feeding the hungry, tending the injured and weak, and few helping the civilians who are molested by the Shimmies. Unfortunately, the ones that help the molested civilians lose their lives in the process. The Shimmies discover who they are—they catch a glimpse of their tattoo.

I hear Jaguis are constantly being recruited too. Those who want to fight against Shem and his soldiers join the Jaguis. It’s a death sentence, though. Proven fact: You fight against the Shimmies, you die. The Shimmies get stronger every passing day.

Yeah, it’s very, very bad here.

Other than Jegar falling to pieces under Shem’s rule, I’m fine. Alive. Living a decent life.

I’m scrubbing the floor made out of petrified wood in the hotel, located in Edom—a city nine-hundred and forty-two miles away from Welher, Citra. My silver, chain bracelet makes a rattling sound every time I move the brush. I stop and gaze at my bracelet and remember when my birth mother first gave it to me.

Such a sweet memory. My mother’s face is a blur, but I can tell she was beautiful. And that smile she has. Such a loving smile—the only feature of hers that isn’t blurred in my memory.

I try to remember more of my past, but a horrible headache strikes me. A migraine. Agh! Iddo—Cathy’s brother who knows a lot about Jenoxes—told me not to work so hard in remembering things locked in my mind, or it can do me damage. I should let the memories return naturally, if they ever do. This was my first memory of my past in six months! And it wasn’t even a long memory. Only was only a two second one. I wish I could remember something more prominent and longer.

I scrub harder to rid myself of the migraine.

I clean the floor so well, I can see my reflection. I stare at myself for a moment—five-foot-five-inches tall, reddish-brown hair that reaches about six inches past my shoulders twisted upwards and held with a large, metal clip with cogs and gears used as the open and close mechanism. As I bend down to scrub farther out from where I kneel, strands of hair from my silver bangs loosely fall in front of my face.

The mirror-door closet to my left shows the ugly, baby-blue jumpsuit I have to wear for my job. What I wear under it is so much better—a tight, dark-blue, sleeveless shirt with large flaps at the neckline; a small, black corset around my stomach with white string; a pair of light-gray, skinny jeans with three silver buckles on the top, right leg; and dark-gray boots up to my knees with silver buckles that run down the outer sides. However, I’m required to wear this ugly thing with no style or comfort at all.

I live in an industrialization age. New inventions are constantly being made—mostly weapons and transportation systems. We run almost everything on steam. The fashion’s filled with metals, gears, top-hats, goggles, a wide range of stylish gloves, corsets, and vests.³ Very cool if you ask me. I’m very up-to-date with the newest styles.

Rev! I hear someone whisper from above. Revelis!

I raise my head to the corner of the room I was cleaning and find an eighteen-year-old boy popping his head out from the vent above. He must have snuck in from the garbage garage, rose to the third floor from the garbage disposal box and entered the vent from the gate outside this room. I thought I heard someone outside. Nachi?

Is the coast clear?

Yeah, but I’m working.

Nachi jumps down from the vent and walks up to me. Hi, Revelis, how are you doing? He wipes some dust off his clothes.

I wipe the area the dust fell unto. I throw the towel over my shoulder as I stand. I’m doing fine. I briefly observe my surroundings, making sure no one’s around, then turn back to Nachi. What are you doing here?

Azzur Nachi Sariel is a strong, young adult. He’s eighteen years old, but acts a lot older most of the time. His azure-colored eyes are mind blowing and pop with his light, tan skin. No doubt his eye color inspired his first name. He has spiky, messy, medium-long, brown hair on the top two-thirds of his scalp with bangs that reach his upper lip. He also has a lock of hair from above his temple and ear on both sides of his head that fall two inches past his chin. The bottom third of his scalp is a buzz cut. Nachi comes wearing his very trendy outfit. He’s also up-to-date with the styles and fashion. I got you something. Nachi gives me a small blue box.

What is it?

Open it and find out.

I remove the lid of the box and see a silver, chain necklace with a gold and silver hawk charm on it. Nachi… it’s beautiful. I take it out of the box.

Yeah, I know how much you like hawks, so… Nachi sees me unclip the top portion of my janitor uniform to put the necklace on. Here, let me. Nachi takes the necklace and hooks it around my neck. There… He takes a step back. It looks good on you. Happy sixteenth birthday.

I hug Nachi. Thank you very much. You’ve made my day.

That’s great to hear. Nachi gives me his famous monkey-bear hug that sometimes makes me feel like my breasts will burst from how tightly they’re pressed against his hard chest.

I gasp for air when he lets me go. You’re going to kill me one day with those hugs.

He laughs.

I’m serious about that, but I can’t stop myself from laughing along with him.

Nachi looks around. Where’s Cathy? Weren’t you two going to celebrate your birthday today? I got word from your uncle, Iddo, that you were here.

I sadly sigh. We ended up working today. It was an unexpected call from the boss. I lift up my wrist with my birth mother’s bracelet to see it.

Did you have another memory? Nachi knows that I don’t really remember my past before Cathy adopted me, but he doesn’t know why I don’t remember, or who I used to be. I kept that part out.

I nod to answer his question.

You want to talk about it? Nachi raises my chin with his right hand.

I gaze into his eyes. I want to tell him. I really do, but… I can’t, I answer. I turn away, taking off the clip that holds my hair up.

Why not? He catches my left hand.

I sadly gaze upon him.

He gently pulls me closer. You can tell me anything.

I can’t. I repeat.

I’ll always be here for you. He’s making this harder than it needs to be.

I know, I say.

He leans closer to me for a kiss.

Tell me? he whispers an inch away from my lips.

Maybe next time, I whisper back.

Right before our lips touched, I hear Oros call my name, ruining the moment.

Oros? I walk up to my favorite, feathered friend that’s standing on the window frame.

Oros, who’s now a nine-inch tall adult with a wingspan of twenty-two inches, hops on my shoulder. He notices my new necklace while I close the window.

What do you think, Oros? Nachi gave it to me. It looks like you. Well, kind of. If you were made out of metal and gears, this’ll be you.

Oros nods, chirps blissfully, and turns his attention to Nachi.

Hey, Oros, long time no see. Nachi walks up to me. He keeps a safe distance from my golden friend, since Oros doesn’t cooperate with Nachi very well. He still doesn’t hate me, does he?

Let’s see. I have Oros hop on my right hand. I always bandage my right hand with a long, black strip of rayon cloth around my palm, thumb and wrist—to hide my Jenox tattoo. Nachi thinks I have a super ugly scar on that hand. I stretch my arm out to Nachi, so Oros could be at hopping distance from him.

Nachi reaches out to Oros with his eyes shut tight, hoping that Oros won’t injure him like before, but he didn’t even peck.

Oros jumps on Nachi’s hand and climbs up to his shoulder.

Nachi slowly opens his eyes to see Oros perched peacefully on him. Guess you like me now, huh?

Oros gives a short screech.

Oros says ‘yes’, I translate as I take off my ugly jumpsuit. I bend down to get my scrubbing brush. I walk to the other side of the room and pick up my granite-tin bucket filled with three quarts of water and two cups of orange citrus to give the floors and furniture a pleasantly scented shine. C’mon, you two. I gesture to the door.

Where? Nachi takes the rest of the cleaning supplies that I can’t carry.

Well, since Cathy and I got busy with cleaning the hotels for the boss’s party tonight, we couldn’t go anywhere. But I always finish with the hotel I’m assigned to before her. I guess we could still be able to sneak out and go somewhere, right? We enter the polished, topaz elevator.

Sure, Nachi agrees. W-wait a minute!

I look at him curiously after I close the elevator gates and pull the lever that takes us to the lobby. What? I stretch out my hand, so Oros can jump on it.

What you just said. You cleaned this whole hotel yourself!? Nachi watches Oros jump from his shoulder to my hand.

Yeah, I did—every room, every hall… I begin to lightly massage Oros behind his neck. He loves it. "Why do you ask? Is it that surprising?"

We feel the elevator descend.

"Surprising? Of course it’s surprising! You cleaned every inch of this three story, top five hotel?"

All but the walls and ceiling.

How long did this take you?

Maybe four to five hours at the most… it all goes by fast, so I don’t really keep track of time.

Nachi’s jaw drops. How can you clean all this by yourself, though? I can’t even finish cleaning my own room!

I giggle. Nachi, you need to clean more. The more you do it, the easier and faster it gets.

Hmph… Nachi keeps his eyes on the stories we pass. We’re almost to the lobby.

Oros and I are cuddling with each other.

Hey, Revelis, I know a good place to take you for your birthday, are you in? Nachi asks.

The elevator stops.

Of course. I open the gates and freeze when I see Cathy standing in front of me.

Revelis? Cathy asks as she looks behind me to see who else was in the elevator. Azzur Nachi!? What are you doing here?

We both freeze for a moment.

J-just giving Revelis a birthday gift is all, ma’am. Nachi walks me out of the elevator and helps me put the cleaning materials away in the janitor’s closet.

I empty the bucket of water and citrus in the sink before I lock the door.

Really? Cathy catches a glimpse of my new necklace. It’s pretty. Her attention focuses on me now. Hey, Revelis, I finished early, so we can have the rest of today celebrating your birthday. What do you think?

Oh… um… I pass my right hand through my hair. I turn to Nachi, who has a bummed expression. I-I…

Cathy figures it out. Oh… I see…

I quickly turn back to Cathy. N-no, it’s not like that!

It’s okay. Go with him. Have fun, but be back before midnight. Cathy steps aside.

R-really? I can’t believe it!

Cathy smiles.

I hug her. Thank you, thank you!

You’re welcome.

I head out the door and see Cathy grab Nachi by his left arm before he leaves. I catch what she tells him. Keep a very close eye on her, keep her safe, and don’t you dare bring her near your father!

Nachi stares at Cathy. I won’t even go near my father either. You can trust me, ma’am!

I trust Iddo… Cathy replies while letting him go. I trust him saying that you’re a good boy. Don’t lose that trust of mine, or you’ll regret it.

I’ll protect her with my life, ma’am. Don’t worry. Nachi walks to me. He interlocks his fingers with mine.

So, where are you taking me?

It’s a surprise. Of course it is.

He takes me to Abinoam, a carnival city next door to Edom.

Great choice, I say. I hear the excited screams of people on rides, the laughter of players of the carnival games, and the musicians play their wacky instruments. The smell of the greasy and high calorie foods fills the air. I’m so hungry for ostrich-turkey leg right now.

Nachi kisses my hand that’s interlocked with his. Where to first?

The loud grumble of my stomach answers his question.

He chuckles at my embarrassed expression. Okay, food first.

We both have a roasted, ostrich-turkey leg and then ride off to a freefall ride. Our stomachs are very good at keeping the food inside our system, so we enjoy ourselves in even the craziest thrill rides that have big drops, flips, and spins.

We take a frozen yogurt break. Sweet chocolate with gummy treats and fresh fruits—my favorite.

We play lots of carnival games. I suck on half of them, but he won me a couple prizes—like free go-kart tickets. I beat him in that big time.

After riding my favorite rides again, I’m exhausted. I sit down on a bench, but Nachi insists in playing one last game. I groan.

One more, Revelis. Just one more game! Nachi grabs my bandaged hand and pulls me back up to my feet.

The bandage on my right hand loosens, revealing a bit of the symbol under it, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. No one can see much of the tattoo that it covers.

Nachi points at the game Shoot or Lose. We’ve never played this game. Maybe Nachi saved it for last.

The player of this game must be good at their hand-eye coordination to shoot all the targets that quickly rise and disappear, one at a time, about fifteen feet away from where the shooter stands. Each shooter’s given a revolver. The revolver shoots thirty, six millimeter, metal spheres. This game has four levels. The first level’s Beginners, where five moving targets appear and stay visible for about five seconds. The second level’s Normal, where ten moving targets come up a bit faster and stay visible for about three seconds. In the Expert level, fifteen targets come up pretty fast and disappear after one second. The last level’s Impossible, where twenty-five targets come up extremely fast, giving the shooter half a second to notice it and shoot it. There’s a half a minute pause before each level to reload your revolver with ammo. The targets in every level come out randomly. The closer the shot’s to the bull’s-eye, the more points the player gets and the better prizes they win as well. If the player hits the target directly in the middle, they earn one hundred points.

I sigh. Nachi…

What?

I-I can’t shoot. I never shot or held a gun in my life. The second part was a lie.

Don’t worry, Rev, I’ll help you. I’ll go first. It’s easy! Just watch. Nachi gives the man in charge of the game three Citra coins. He receives his loaded revolver along with an extra loaded magazine.

I watch my boyfriend play the game from behind. In the Beginners and Normal level, he hits all the targets on the bull’s-eye. In the Expert level, after reloading the revolver, Nachi almost hits all the targets that appeared with making a couple extra shots. Those extra shots never really hit the bull’s-eye, so they were a waste of ammo. In the Impossible level, he was extremely focused, more than I’ve ever seen him. The targets appear so fast that it was hard to keep up and shoot them all. Nachi only managed to shoot two of the twenty-five targets. Damn! I still can’t keep up with them.

It’s rigged, I declare. "You’re not supposed to be able to hit all of them. That’s why it is impossible."

It’s just a game, Rev. Nachi gives the revolver back to the man in charge of the game to reload it. He picks out a brown, corset-style top hat as his prize. He takes out three more Citra coins and gave it to him. He put the hat on me and says, Now, it’s your turn. He gets the loaded gun from the man and positions my hand to hold it correctly. He gently places my index finger on the trigger. Just point and pull the trigger, he tells me.

Of course, I know how to hold and shoot a gun, but I don’t want to play this game. Uncle Iddo specifically told me to stay away from these types of games. I don’t know why if I don’t remember how to shoot a gun and such. However, I have a very bad feeling about this. Nachi—

Anyone can shoot, he interrupts. He gives the man one more Citra coin. I’ll give you an extra magazine, just in case.

I stare at the loaded magazines on the stool beside me.

Good luck, the man says.

His words get me focused on the game. From the corner of my eye, I can see he noticed my bandaged hand. He didn’t seem to care though.

Okay… ready? he asks.

I nod.

He turns on the game to make the targets appear.

Okay, Revelis… Nachi’s trying to help me out. Focus, concentrate and—

Right when the first target appeared, I fire the gun before I even wanted my finger to pull the trigger. The metal sphere that exited out of the revolver’s barrel and hit the bull’s-eye exactly in the middle. I did the same with the other targets in the Beginners and Normal level—all in one shot.

Nachi and the man are in shock of my precision in the first two levels and my speed. Also, my two-second revolver reload—switching my empty magazine with the full one—made them speechless.

They aren’t the only ones. I’m petrified at myself. It must have been years since I shot a revolver—from before Cathy adopted me.

Hmph… beginner’s luck… I catch Nachi whisper.

I don’t think so, the man says with an expression that disturbs me.

More people stop to watch me—the teenage girl with an astounding perfect score in this game.

I perfectly pass the Expert level with ease. One shot’s all it takes for me to hit the bull’s-eye. I didn’t empty this magazine, but the ammo I have left in there isn’t enough for the last level. I switch the magazine for the last loaded one.

All wait patiently with me for the Impossible level. I feel so much body heat around me. There are a lot of people.

The last level begins and without even concentrating or thinking, I shoot every single target in the bull’s-eye the first time. The bells ring like crazy as the world record’s set. I’m the first to get a perfect score with perfect precision—a flawless win.

I hear gasps, cheers, and awes.

My eyes are