《AYESHA : The Queen Of Fire》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    ¡°Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday! Happy birthday to you!¡±


    ¡°Go make a wish and blow your candle dear Ayesha,¡± Mama said while smiling after she and my papa


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    sang to me a Happy birthday song.


    I was celebrating my birthday and I was beyond blessed. We may not have a lot of food on the table, but


    seeing my parents healthy and happy was enough for me.


    I looked at the me on the tip of the candle. The way it flickered from my sight amazed me. I didn¡¯t know


    what was wrong with me. But since I was a child, I¡®d always been fascinated with fire.


    I closed my eyes and wished.


    I wish my parents to live longer with good health and always be happy.


    I smiled, opened my eyes and blew the candle of my cake in front of me. Happy sweet sixteen to me!


    ¡°Happy birthday dear,¡± Papa said smiling while handing me a small box that was wrapped with red paper.


    It had a yellow ribbon tied up to it.


    I was teary-eyed when I held it in my hand. We were poor. And we were actually living in the slum. Sc


    Town, where I live right now, was one of the slums of the Kingdom of Zoara.


    Receiving a gift from my papa was really touching for me. My papa and mama were working in the farm


    nearby, but still I was proud that they were my parents because they raised me well.


    I pulled the ribbon and opened the box. I almost gasped when I saw the beautiful ne inside. It was


    a white gold ne with a me like pendant hanging on it.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take this Papa,¡± I said while putting back the ne inside the box.


    ¡°That is yours dear. Take it,¡± he replied and put it back in my hands.


    ¡°But I think this is so expensive. I know we don¡¯t have a lot of money,¡± I mumbled sadly to him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry dear. That is not that expensive as you think,¡± he reassured and then smiled at me.


    I bit my lower lip and hugged him. ¡°Thank you, Papa.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, dear.¡±


    ***


    I didn¡¯t have visitors on my birthday. Our house was just small and it was made of wood. It was kind of


    located in a mountain area. And the next house was also far from our house. So we were done


    celebrating it. I also didn¡¯t have friends. So what was the use of inviting someone? As if I also got


    someone to invite to. All of our neighbors of the same age of mine hated me and I didn¡¯t know why.


    I would sometimes look at myself in the mirror if there was something wrong with my appearance. My


    hair was straight and ck, and it was long up to my waist. My skin was pinkish white and my face was


    so small with a little freckles on my cheeks and nose. My body was petite and my height was only five


    feet. I was normal. My Mama even told me that I was beautiful. But why couldn¡¯t others see it?


    My parents were also aloof to others. They didn¡¯t have that much of what they called friends too.


    Sometimes I wonder why my parents were like that. It was like they didn¡¯t want us to get closed to other


    people here in our town. Our town was just smallpared to others.


    Thend of Anteras was divided into five Kingdoms. The kingdom of Zoara, Krishna, Cenchrea, Havh,


    and Gethsemane.


    Sc Town belongs to the Kingdom of Zoara and it was not really that big toopared to other


    Kingdom,


    I even heard a lot of rumors that each kingdom was being protected by dragons. The Fire Dragon of


    Zoara, Water Dragon of Krishna, Earth Dragon of Cenchrea, Metal Dragon of Havh, and Wind Dragon


    of Gethsemane. It was kind of talk of the town but I hadn¡¯t seen one in my entire life. Maybe it was just a


    myth or something. But I didn¡¯t really believe it. Not unless I saw one.


    ¡°Ayesha, dear?¡± Mama called outside the wooden door of my room. I was inside while looking at myself


    in the mirror.


    ¡°Yes, Mama?¡± I shouted while facing the mirror.


    ¡°Dinner is ready,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Coming,¡± I eximed and then walked out of my room.


    I sat down in front of my mama and papa when I arrived at the table.


    ¡°Let¡¯s pray?¡± Mama said and me and Papa both nodded and we all closed our eyes for grace.


    ¡°As wee together at this special time, let us pause a moment to appreciate the opportunity to thank


    our mother earth that has made this birthday possible. We reap the fruits of our town, our kingdom, and


    ournd, and take joy in the bounties of nature on this happy asion. Let us also wish that, some day,


    all people on Earth may enjoy the same good fortune that we share,¡± Mama prayed for our food''s grace.


    After we said our grace, we ate peacefully.


    My parents were kind of religious. And every sunday, we didn¡¯t forget to always go to church. As a good


    daughter, of course, I was with them, always.


    The dinner ended and I was back to my room. I remember the ne that my papa gave to me.


    I walked towards the mirror and picked the box near to it.


    I smiled and took the ne out. I looked at myself in the mirror as I put the ne on my neck and


    then touched it. I smiled at myself. It looked so good on me.


    I was in the middle of brushing my hair when I noticed something on it. From its roots, I saw how little by


    little my ck hair turned into red.


    I blinked a couple of times making sure if I was seeing it clearly or maybe I was just hallucinating. But my


    eyes widened when all of my hair from the roots to the tip became already red.


    ¡°Oh my God! Oh my God!¡± I blurted, bewildered of what was happening.


    I scooped my hair and looked at it in my hands. My ck hair just turned to red! What the hell was


    happening?! Why did it suddenly change to red?!


    I ran out of my room and went towards my parents room.


    ¡°Papa! Mama!¡± I knocked on the door or I may say, I was literally banging the door of my parents room


    while shouting in panic.


    The door suddenly opened and I saw my parents standing in front of me with confused expressions.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong dear?¡± Papa asked.


    ¡°Look at my hair,¡± I told them and they looked at it. Their forehead creased and then looked back at me.


    ¡°Did you dye your hair into red?¡± Mama said while raising her brow.


    ¡°No! I didn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Then why did it be red, dear?¡± Papa chortled.


    Oh my God! I couldn¡¯t believe it! They justughed at my situation.


    ¡°Papa!¡± I yelled while looking at them with a pissed expression.


    ¡°Dear, it¡¯s fine. Red looks good on you.¡± It was what my mama said this time.


    ¡°No Mama! I was in the middle of brushing my hair when it suddenly changed into red. You have to


    believe me,¡± I was gesturing my hands while talking to them, trying to exin what really happened.


    I stopped when I suddenly saw something flickered on my hand. My brows furrowed and looked at my


    hand closely.


    Was that just my imagination, again?


    I closed my hand tightly and then opened it abruptly. My eyes widened when suddenly a fire came out of


    my hand and then died down right away.


    I looked at my parents in front of me with my mouth and eyes wide open. They were also looking at me


    with a shocked expression too.


    ¡°D-Did you saw that?! D-Did fire juste out of my hand?!¡± I said while panicking.


    ¡°Get inside,¡± Papa said as he pulled me inside their room and then closed it. They let me sat in their bed


    while they were standing in front of me.


    ¡°Ayesha,¡± Mama called my name with a serious tone.


    ¡°Mama. What is happening to me?¡± I asked, confused.


    ¡°Listen dear. You know that we¡¯re not allowed to have power. It¡¯s prohibited in our town,¡± Mama said. She


    looks problematic. While my papa was also the same while walking back and forth in front of us.


    ¡°We need to leave this town, Laura,¡± Papa said with a serious expression.


    ¡°No one is leaving, Simeon,¡± Mama answered while ring at my father.


    ¡°What if they will know about this?¡±


    ¡°No one will know. Right, Ayesha?¡± Mama was looking at me seriously. Was she saying that I needed to


    keep this thing that I discovered for myself?


    I know that we were not allowed to have this power that I had right now. So what was I going to do with


    this?


    ¡°You have to promise me that you will never use that thing no matter what happens.¡± She cupped my


    face and made me look at her. ¡°Promised me.¡±


    I nodded as a promise.


    ¡°Good.¡± She kissed my forehead. ¡°Go back to your room and rest. We¡¯ll talk tomorrow,¡± she added while


    caressing my arm.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I mumbled then stood up and got out of their room. I even heard them arguing something before


    the door closed behind me.


    I went back to my room and sat on my wooden bed. It made a creaking sound as I moved above it.


    It was so unbelievable. I still couldn¡¯t believe that all of this was happening.


    I gestured my hand like trying to make the firee out of my hand and it did. And it was more visible


    this time.


    I looked at the fire in my hand with an awed expression. Oh my God! I could really produce fire through


    my hand!


    I was beyond ecstatic. Now I understand why I was always fascinated with fire. It was my gift! It was part


    of me.


    The fire died out of my hand as I thought of what my mother just said a while ago. I was not allowed to


    use it. I already promised. And it was also prohibited to use it from the start. Life was really unfair. Why


    did they only made that rule in the slum area?


    A lot of questions were running on my mind and I somewhat fell asleep while thinking of those things.


    ***


    I woke up the next day feeling happy and sad at the same time. I was happy that I could make fire from


    my hands but also sad because I was not allowed to use it.


    My parents were already not around. They always leave early for work.


    After I took a bath, I went to our small kitchen. I looked at the table and saw that they left some food for


    me. I ate it all, brushed my teeth after and then washed the dishes.


    I decided to go to the market. Maybe someone would need my help and they would pay me in return.


    I was walking my way to the market and sweats were already dropping on my forehead. I took my


    handkerchief in my pocket and wiped it away.


    I walked towards the vendor of vegetables when suddenly I tripped and stumbled down on the ground. I


    winced and looked at my elbow. There was a small scratch on it.


    I looked at my back when I heard augh. I saw some of my neighborsughing at me. I looked at them


    angrily. I bit my lower lip and controlled my breathing.


    Rx Ayesha. This is not new to you.


    I counted one to three to calm myself down. I could feel my hands were trembling and it was like anytime


    the fire woulde out soon.


    ¡°Hey!¡± I was startled when someone suddenly grabbed my hand and helped me stand up. ¡°You okay?¡±


    she asked.


    I nodded as a response while trying to hold my breath. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said and then looked at her.


    It was my first time seeing her here. She actually looked rich. Her golden hair was neatly tied in a knot


    and her dress looked so expensive.


    She looked at my eyes and her brows suddenly furrowed.


    ¡°Your eyes are burning,¡± she muttered that made me panic. I shut my eyes right away and counted from


    one to three to calm myself before opening it again.


    My heart was beating so fast. I was so nervous. Thest thing that I wanted to happen was for someone


    to see me while my power was visible.


    I was chanting in my head hoping that my eyes would go back to normal. I cleared my throat before


    opening my eyes.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked the moment I opened my eyes. She blinked a couple of times and then looked at my


    eyes again. Now, looking so confused at me. I saw her bit her lower lip before she talked.


    ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s nothing. I think I¡¯m seeing things again,¡± she said and then walked away while mumbling


    something I couldn¡¯t hear.


    A sigh of relief escaped from my lips as I saw her retreating back. Those who tripped me were not there


    anymore as well.


    ¡°I think I need to control my emotions more from now on,¡± I sighed and mumbled to myself and just


    decided to go back home instead.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    I went home after what happened in the market. I was walking on my way through the dusty road. I cover


    my nose and mouth whenever the wind blows. Thebination of dust and the wind is not good at all.


    I was almost close to our house when a wagon passed by me. I coughed when the dust suddenly got in


    my mouth and blinded my sight for a while.


    I red at the retreating wagon and ran towards our house.


    I looked at the dress that I was wearing. I didn¡¯t notice a while ago that there¡¯s a tear on the tip. My


    mama would probably scold me if she saw this.


    I changed into my tunic dress and just stayed in my room.


    Sometimes I also think that what if we¡¯re not poor? I can really go to school and study. Being poor in our


    town is so difficult. We are not allowed to go to school.


    Many people my age in our town were already working. But my mama wouldn¡¯t allow me to work. She


    wanted me to always stay here in the house. She said that it was for my safety and I didn¡¯t know why she


    said that. Am I not safe outside?


    I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair didn¡¯t go back to its original color. It was red right


    now.


    I bit my lower lip and looked at my hand. An evil smile formed on my lips. I couldn¡¯t only use it if there


    was someone who could see me. But what if no one? I could use it. They would never know. Mama


    would never know.


    I wanted to learn more about how to use this gift that I have. I couldn¡¯t use it here inside my room. I might


    set our house on fire.


    I decided to go to a nearby forest. No one will see me there.


    I ran towards the forest and found a perfect spot making sure no one would notice that I was in here.


    I was startled and stopped when I heard the cracking sound of the dried leaves being stepped by. I


    roamed my eyes in the surrounding, trying to check if there was someone in the forest aside from me.


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    My eyes widened and I immediately hid in one of the trees when I saw a suspicious man lurking a couple


    of meters away from where I was. They were two of them. They dress differentlypared to the people


    in our town and I was pretty sure that they were not from here.


    The other guy kept on looking everywhere like trying to check if there were other people aside from them


    in the forest.


    ¡°Ne quis es certus est hic?¡±


    ¡°Ita vero.¡±


    My brows furrowed. What were they talking about? They were talking in anguage that I couldn¡¯t


    understand.


    My eyes widened when I identally stepped on the dried leaves. I saw how the other men turned to my


    side while his brows furrowed but good thing that I immediately hid right away. I covered my mouth and


    held my breath.


    ¡°Quid erat illud?¡±


    ¡°Sicut ventus erat.¡±


    I heard them talking again. I tried to take a peek at them but I was surprised when I could no longer see


    where they were. They just vanished. I roamed my eyes to find them but they were gone.


    How could they just disappear in an instant?


    I was not really sure if they were from our kingdom. But I was sure that they are not from Sc Town. I


    haven¡¯t gone out of our town. I haven¡¯t seen the Higher Council as well.


    Were they one of the Higher Council? If they were one of them, what were they doing here in the forest?


    There were a lot of questions that were running through my mind. Those two men also have a tattoo on


    their neck that I couldn¡¯t understand.


    I waited for a couple of minutes and just stayed where I was hiding. When I was sure that they were


    gone, I went out and tried to find another spot. I went farther away from where I saw those men. Thest


    thing that I wanted to happen was for someone to see me ying with fire.


    I found a spot where there were a lot of trees and bushes that would cover me. It was also out of the


    path so I was pretty sure no one would have gone too far from where I was.


    I tried to rx and controlled my breathing. I snapped my finger and the fire came out right away but it


    died out in an instant.


    I stopped when I heard another cracking sound of the dry leaves and it was right in front of me. The


    sound wasing from the bush. My eyes widened when the bush suddenly moved. I hid in one of the


    trees closeby. My heart almost leaped out from my chest when something jumped in front of me.


    ¡°Ahhhhhh!¡± I screamed but then covered my mouth right away and stifled it when I remembered where I


    was. I need to be as quiet as possible or someone might hear me.


    I wanted to p myself when I saw what was that thing that jumped in front of me. I sighed in relief when


    I saw a hare crouching beneath me. It was just a hare! Goodness!


    ¡°Hey there little thing. You just scared me there.¡± I tried to touch it but it jumped and ran away from me.


    Okay. Expect that there¡¯s a lot of animals in the forest Ayesha. Rx and concentrate, again.


    I heard another cracking sound of the leaves nearby. It was where the hare just ran off. I shrugged it off.


    It¡¯s just the hare Ayesha.


    I concentrate again on my breathing. I snapped my fingers again and instantly the fire came out. I


    concentrated and tried to make the fire bigger and make itst for a couple of minutes. But sadly, it would


    die right away. I want to make itst longer. Like, trying to control when ites out and die out.


    It was not easy. And I almost gave up. But then after a couple of trial and error. I made it!


    I was dancing in joy while watching the fire on my hand that didn¡¯t die out. And because of my


    recklessness, I didn¡¯t notice that some of the fire from my hand was already scattered to the ground.


    The dried leaves were already burning on the ground. The smoke from the burning leaves was already


    clouding a small part of the forest.


    I died out of the fire in my hand and tried to stop the burning leaves from scattering. I was coughing


    heavily, the smoke was starting to get heavy.


    Ayesha! What have you done?!


    I panic when the fire bes bigger. My eyes widened as I saw how the fire engulfs the forest.


    Ayesha! You need to leave before someone sees you!


    I ran fast going out of the forest. I tried to run to another route which was closer to our house and I was


    sure that no one would see me.


    My heart was beating so fast. I didn¡¯t dare to look back. I kept on running until I got into the back of our


    house.


    I was panting really hard and beads of sweat were running on my forehead.


    I turned around and looked at the forest. I gasped when I saw how the fire engulfs it and as the ck


    smoke clouded the blue sky.


    ***


    I was crying and trembling in the corner of my room.


    What have you done, Ayesha?


    This was all my fault, for being stubborn. I didn¡¯t listened to my mama. She already warned me to never


    used it at any cost, but what did I do? I disobeyed her.


    I was so reckless!


    What if someone saw me there?


    Or might be that someone saw me running out from the forest? And then they would report me to the


    Higher Council?


    What would happen to me?


    The thought of me being captured and my parents being punished by the Higher Council because of


    what I did make me tremble and weep more.


    I was startled when the door of my room suddenly opened with a banged. I saw my mama bursting


    inside while panting heavily. She looked at me like she was trying to confirm something.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Mama,¡± I cried. She looked at me with a disappointed and sad expression.


    ¡°Ayesha, what have you done?¡± she said and I burst out crying.


    ***


    The fire that burst in the forest was sessfully stopped by the Higher Council¡¯s people. Almost half of


    the forest was burned and turn into ashes as what my mama said.


    She hurriedly went home when she heard that the forest was burning. She already assumed that it might


    be me who did it. And she confirmed it the moment she saw me crying in my room.


    My papa went home after an hour and he also looked so disappointed of me.


    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to go out from now on,¡± she ordered while looking at me with a serious expression.


    I was about to disagree with her but I decided to shut my mouth because I didn¡¯t want to argue with her.


    While my father was just quietly looking at us. I knew that he agreed with what mama wanted.


    ¡°What were you doing in that forest, Ayesha?¡± she asked with using tone. She pursed her lips while


    waiting for me to answer.


    ¡°I¡ªI¡­¡± I looked away. I couldn¡¯t look at my mama. This wasthe first time that I made her angry.


    ¡°You defy me. Did you went to the forest to y with your fire?! Now look at what happened to your


    recklessness!¡± she snarled that almost makes me jump from my seat.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Mama.¡± I sniffed.


    ¡°What if someone saw you there and then report you to the council? You just risked your lives and our


    lives! How could you not even think about it?!¡± she closed her eyes and massaged her temple. I was just


    quiet the whole time.


    ¡°Go to your room and repent of what you¡¯ve just done!¡± I hurriedly ran towards my room and mmed it


    closed.


    I didn¡¯t mean to do that. I didn¡¯t mean to set the forest on fire. She didn¡¯t even let me exin my side.


    And now she will not let me go out from now on.


    I know it was my fault, but this was too much.


    Iy on my bed and cover myself with the nket when I heard the creaking sound of my door. Someone


    was getting inside.


    My wooden bed created another creaking sound. Someone just sat on the edge of my bed.


    ¡°Ayesha dear?¡± I heard my papa¡¯s voice but I still didn¡¯t move the nket that was covering me. ¡°Sorry


    about your mama. She¡¯s just protecting you. You know that your safety is important to us. Just don¡¯t be


    stubborn this time and listened to her. Okay?¡± he exined with a gentle voice.


    I slowly move down the nket out of my face and looked at my papa with a sad expression.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to burn the first, Papa. Please believe me,¡± I begged.


    ¡°I know dear,¡± he said caressing my hair. ¡°I believed you. Just don¡¯t use your gift, again. Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Okay, Papa.¡± My voice was weak. It was against my will but I need to obey them. Even if it was so hard.


    ***


    My papa went out of my room after talking to me. I was currently brushing my hair in front of my mirror


    when suddenly my door opened.


    I saw my mama getting in and walked towards my direction.


    ¡°Can I?¡± she asked, getting the hairbrush from my hand. She brushed my hair and I couldn¡¯t help my


    eyes from closing. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dear. I know I was being hard to you a while ago.¡± Her voice was so gentle.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mama. I didn¡¯t mean to set the forest on fire.¡±


    ¡°I know dear. I know,¡± she said cupping my face and then kissed my forehead. I cried and hugged her


    tight.


    ¡°I hope you will not defy me again,¡± she added kissing my head before going out of my room.


    I sighed and looked at my hand. It was such a waste. This gift that I have was just useless.


    I hope someday that someone will rece the Higher Council and alter thew or the rules that they


    made. Especially to us, in the slum. And gave everyone the freedom to use whatever gift or power that


    they receive, without minding the status, if they¡¯re rich or poor.


    I guess I really need to stop using you my dear fire. You need to hold on to me until the time wille


    that I can use you freely.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    The days had passed in a blur and it was already the month of the wheat harvest.


    In a year we have two seasons for harvest. The first one was the harvest during the middle of the year.


    And the second and busiest one took on the end of the summer during thest part of the year.


    To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a


    time to die; a time to nt, and a time to pluck up that which is nted¡­¡¯ That was what the priest


    preachedst Sunday.


    I almost fell asleep during his preach. Well, honestly, I always felt sleepy during Sabbath Day.


    The fire in the forest was also preached during that time. I couldn¡¯t help but stiffen and bow my head


    because I was so guilty.


    Rumors spread like wildfire. Some say that it was an attack from the rival kingdom. And some say that it


    was a rebellion to the Kingdom.


    We were the only one who knew the truth. That it was me all along with the culprit of the incident.


    My parents act like we didn¡¯t know everything. And the more that the rumors spread, the more that I was


    guilty.


    I was in my room again. My mama was serious when she said that I am not allowed to go out. After that


    incident, I was always inside the house. I didn¡¯t dare to go out and upset them again.


    I stop using the fire in me. It was not that easy, but I tried my best to control myself for not using it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going out,¡± my mother called over my shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t forget what I told you.¡± She paused in the


    doorway. ¡°Oh, and I left some food on the table for you to eatter. Love you!¡±


    ¡°Love you too,¡± I respond with a smile and wave her goodbye.


    I sighed and dragged my feet towards my bed. I was all alone again. Iy down and covered myself with


    a nket. I closed my eyes and fell into slumber.


    I was in the middle of the forest when I saw my mama and papa was being caught with the wildfire.


    ¡°Mama! Papa!¡± I shouted while crying as I saw how the fire engulfs their body while they were screaming


    from pain.


    The setting suddenly changed and instead of standing in the forest, I was standing in the middle of our


    town looking at how it was burned to ashes.


    I covered my ears when I heard a scream. A lot of painful screams. It was from the people in our town.


    They were screaming for help. Crying out to stop the pain. Screaming to make it over.


    I stood in my ce, crying. I screamed and the sky became suddenly dark. I was weeping so hard when


    the Kingdom of Zoara was suddenly being rain with fire.


    I fell to the ground and kneeled. I was the only one left. Everyone was burned to ashes. Smokes spread


    all over clouding my sight.


    I heard a loud horn and the rain of fire stopped and was reced with rainwater.


    I saw the silhouette of a man walking away from me. His footsteps are the only ones that I could hear.


    ¡°Help me!¡± I tried to call him but he didn''t even nce at me until the smoke covered him and was out of


    sight.


    Another horn and the town was being flooded with water. My eyes widened when a big wave wasing


    towards me. I stood up and ran but the big wave got me and swept me away.


    I forgot. I didn¡¯t know how to swim if it¡¯s too deep. ¡®Am I going to die here?¡¯


    My breathing became uneven. I tried to breathe but the water already got inside my mouth and it was


    drowning me.


    My eyes started to sting. I was already losing hope. I blinked when I saw a lighting towards me. I


    raised my hand and tried to reach it. Too much water filled my lungs and before I passed out, I felt


    someone held my hand and lifted me out of the water.


    I was panting hard and sweating a lot when I woke up. It was just a dream. But it feels so real.


    I went out of my room and got some water from the jar and drank it in one gulp. I looked at the window, it


    was already dark outside. I slept that whole afternoon.


    I could hear the creaking sound of our wooden chair when I sat down. I put the ss on the table


    creating a thud.


    What was that dream all about? Why did I even dream that in the first ce? Was it because of what I¡¯ve


    done to the forest?


    I felt nervous and I didn¡¯t know why. My dream. I couldn''t help but think of it a couple of times. It has


    been making me agitated since I woke up.


    The front door suddenly opened and I saw my mama and papa bursting in with a worried expression.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked them, confused.


    They walk towards the table and put the vegetables and fruits that they bring.


    ¡°Just stay here, Ayesha. We need to go back to the town,¡± My mama said after putting everything on the


    table.


    ¡°Why do you need to go back? Did something happen?¡± I stood up and got near them.


    I saw them look at each other''s eyes. Like they were talking with their eyes only.


    ¡°We¡¯re just going to help with the harvest there. Something just came up and they need a lot of people.¡±


    My papa said and then he looked at my mama.


    ¡°I can help,¡± I said, smiling.


    ¡°No. You need to stay here. Understood?¡± It wa my mama. Her voice wasced with seriousness. ¡°Let¡¯s


    go, Simeon. We need to hurry,¡± she said to Papa and then walked towards the door.


    ¡°But Mama¡ª¡°


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stubborn, Ayesha. We need to go.¡± She grabbed Papa¡¯s hand as they went out and closed the


    door.


    I was confused by their actions. I walked towards the window and looked at them. They were running


    towards the town.


    My eyes flew in the town''s direction. My forehead creased when I saw a lot of smokeing from there.


    I suddenly felt nervous. The smoke was like what I saw in my dream.


    The scenario in my dream where my mama and papa being engulfed with fire suddenly pops out of my


    mind and I couldn¡¯t help but feel worried and nervous for them. What if it will happen?


    I need to save them. I didn¡¯t have the chance to save them in my dream but I could right now. I could


    save them!


    I got out of our house and disobeyed my mama again. With just my old slipper with me, I ran and


    followed my parents towards the town.


    My eyes widened when I arrived in the town. People are panicking while running in every direction. I tried


    to find my mama and papa but I lost them.


    ¡°Run! The other Kingdom is attacking us!¡± shouted by the people that I passed by.


    I almost stumbled on the ground when someone bumped at me. She didn¡¯t even nce and apologize,


    she continued running away from the town.


    While I was trying to find my parents, I heard a loud cry from a little girl.


    ¡°Mama. Papa.¡± She cried. My forehead creased while trying to find where the voice came from.


    The wailing became louder. I saw the little girl sitting in the corner at the back of the wagon. I ran towards


    where she was and scooped her.


    ¡°Shhh! Don¡¯t cry. Let''s get you to safety,¡± I said while lulling me.


    ¡°N-No. My mama said that I should stay here until theye back,¡± she said while wiping her tears.


    ¡°But it¡¯s not safe here anymore,¡± I said worriedly.


    ¡°N-No. I will wait for my mama,¡± she said, curling her body to the corner.


    ¡°Mira!¡± I heard the voice of a womaning from my back. I looked over my shoulder and she was


    looking at the little girl in front of me.


    ¡°Mama!¡± The little girl shouted in delight and ran towards the woman.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­ She was crying a while ago so I thought she needs help,¡± I said while timidly smiling at the


    woman who was now carrying the little girl.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± she replied while looking at me with a gentle expression. ¡°You need to leave here. The


    Kingdom of Havh is attacking the town,¡± she warned me before leaving in a hurry.


    The Kingdom of Havh was attacking us? Why? Was my dreaming true? No! It couldn¡¯t be


    happening!


    I was more determined when I heard about what the woman said. I need to save the town.


    When I got closer to the exact location of the attack, I saw some of the townspeople fighting against the


    nemesis.


    I was so enraged at how easily our town people were defeated and killed. My eyes started to see red on


    the nemesis faces.


    When I saw one of the enemies was going to stab Mateo, one of the kind vendors in the market, I


    couldn''t help myself but ran towards their direction while my hands were already with fire and threw a ball


    of fire to the enemy.


    The enemy shouted in pain and fell back as his body was being consumed with my fire. I saw how


    Mateo¡¯s eyes widened from shock while looking at the enemy in front of him.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked worriedly while helping him to get up.


    ¡°Ayesha¡­ Did you do that to him?¡± he asked, bewildered.


    ¡°Shhh! You need to leave right now. You can¡¯t win against them,¡± I urged him without answering his


    question.


    My brows furrowed when I saw Mateo¡¯s face be pale while looking at my back. ¡°Ayesha! They''re


    My eyes widened as I saw five of the enemies approaching our direction. I pushed Mateo away from me.


    ¡°Run!¡± I told him and he hurriedly ran for his safety.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I turned around and faced the nemesis with rage. They run towards my direction with a dagger and


    spear.


    While my hands lit aze, I walked slowly towards the nemesis direction. I raised one of my hands and


    made the fire bigger creating a fireball and threw it simultaneously towards their direction. The fire hit


    them and they screamed from the pain when their body started burning.


    Another batch of enemies from my right side stormed towards me. I threw another fireball towards the


    direction and burned them in an instant.


    ¡°Ayesha! Stop!¡± I heard someone calling me. I looked on my left side and I saw my papa, blood from his


    head running to his face while looking at me with a worried expression. My mama wss beside him while


    looking at me with pleading eyes.


    I was about to run towards their direction when I saw a man suddenly stab my mama on the back. I saw


    how my mama fell in the ground.


    ¡°No!¡± I shouted. I was enraged. I didn¡¯t notice that my entire body was already in aze. I ran towards


    the man who stabbed my mama and threw a big fireball to him, killing him in an instant.


    I screamed and the fire that engulfed my entire body became bigger and bigger, heating all the


    surrounding areas where I was standing.


    My papa was shouting something but I couldn''t hear anything. All that I could hear was the fire in me


    telling me that I needed to kill all the nemesis.


    All of them started to charge in my direction. I faced all of them, walking towards their direction slowly as


    the fire in my entire body ignited more.


    Each of their metal weapons melts like ice that turns into water. Their faces were now visible of fear and


    they started to hesitate of attacking. Slowly, they began to step back as I got nearer and nearer to them.


    ¡°Receptus!¡± One of them shouted, and all of them started to run away. Retreating.


    But before they could go further, I threw a big ball of fire towards their direction. All of them screamed


    from pain, as the fire scattered like wildfire to all of them, killing everyone with that single blow.


    I watched how the fire burned them before I passed out and fell into the ground.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    I saw my mama crying beside my bed when I woke up.


    ¡°Ayesha!¡± She cried harder when she saw that I was already awake.


    ¡°S-Stop crying Mama,¡± I stuttered. I didn¡¯t know how to make her stop. What actually was happening?


    ¡°Thank God! You¡¯re awake! It¡¯s been three days.¡± I was baffled. I was really out for three days?


    I couldn''t believe that I was unconscious for three consecutive days after what happened in town.


    Thest thing that I remembered was I threw arge ball of fire to the retreating enemy. That was it. Did I


    pass out after?


    ¡°What happened Mama?¡± I was confused.


    ¡°You passed out after burning every enemy in town. That¡¯s what your papa said. We¡¯re both unconscious


    because of what happened. Good thing that some of the townspeople helped your papa to help us.¡±


    ¡°I was really out for three days?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You are.¡± She caressed my cheeks and then held my hand. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have done that Ayesha.


    You¡¯ve been exposed. The Higher Council already knows about you.¡±


    My eyes widened while looking at my mama. ¡°W-What are they going to do to me Mama?¡± I was scared.


    Mama squeezed my hand and looked at me in the eyes.


    ¡°Just do what they want. Go with them willingly so that they will not do anything to you or even force you


    to go with them. Do not use your fire. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Okay, Mama.¡± My voice was so weak. So that means that they would take me to the castle?


    My papa suddenly burst inside my room. My brows furrowed. He looked like he saw a ghost.


    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± he said nervously.


    ¡°What do you mean, Simeon?¡± Mama asked, confused.


    ¡°The Higher Council and the Royal Guard are here.¡± My eyes widened from what Papa just said.


    ¡°M-Mama,¡± I was on the verge of crying.


    ¡°They have been waiting for your awakening, Ayesha. They¡¯re here to take you to the pce. I¡¯m sorry.


    We can¡¯t do anything to save you.¡± Mama started to cry harder this time.


    The door suddenly burst open. There are six royal guards getting in. A man in his early 40¡¯s was with


    them wearing luxury clothes. His face was void of any emotion. He looked at me and I couldn¡¯t help but


    feel nervous from his stares. I shivered from fear when he suddenly smiled at me. It screamed danger for


    me.


    My father and mother suddenly went on their knees and bowed down in front of the man.


    ¡°Higher Council Gustav.¡± So he is one of the Higher Council? Now I know why. His aura brought fear.


    Even my parents. Even me.


    He didn¡¯t even look at my parents who was kneeling in front of him.


    ¡°Rise,¡± he said without even leaving his eyes on me.


    My parents stood up right away and went on my side.


    ¡°So you are Ayesha?¡± I swallowed the lump on my throat and just nodded at his question. ¡°You¡¯re aware


    of what you did, right?¡± he asked and I nodded again.


    He left his eyes on me and looked at the royal guard on his back gesturing for him toe near him.


    He took the scroll that the guard was holding and opened it in front of us. The royal guard went back to


    his post while Higher Council Gustav was looking at the scroll.


    ¡°Ayesha Solomon, please stand.¡± I stood up in front of him and sped both of my hands together while


    my heart was beating faster. "You broke thew and wreaked havoc in the Kingdom of Zoara. For which I


    find you guilty. Such a serious criminal act can and must not be taken lightly. And so, I sentence you to


    lifelong imprisonment, with an option to request parole, after 20 years.¡±


    My eyes widened because of what he just said. My eyes started to watered as I looked at my Mama and


    Papa. My Mama was already crying while Papa was hugging him.


    ¡°Come with us willingly or you¡¯ll be dragged from here by force if you will not,¡± he added after closing the


    scroll.


    Mama gestured to me to go with them willingly with a sad smile. I wiped my tears and looked at Higher


    Council Gustav. I would be okay. The gift that I have would surely help me when the time hase.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you willingly,¡± I said in the low voice.


    ¡°Good choice,¡± he said and then turned his back to me and gestured to the royal guard to get me.


    I just noticed that they were holding a handcuff and shackles to restrain me. They handcuffed my hands


    in my back and put shackles on my feet enough for me to walk with them.


    The handcuffs on my hands and on my feet feel so cold and rough on my skin. It was already rusty and I


    bet it was already old.


    I didn¡¯tin. I just let them do what they wanted. In our kingdom, they were thew. We couldn¡¯t do


    anything but to do what they wanted. We were just a peasant of the kingdom. A low individual and


    unimportant individual of the kingdom and not much more difference from the ves.


    I wonder how many people like me who happened to be restrained by these handcuffs and shackles. I


    bet it was a lot of them.


    One of the royal guards pushed me lightly out of our house. I gasped when I saw some of the


    townspeople outside our house looking at me with pity in their eyes. Some were murmuring about


    something and then looked away when I saw them looking at me. I tried my best not to cry to not look


    more pitiful to them. I looked down and tried not to look at them as the guard apanied me to walk


    towards a wagon that was waiting for me.


    I inhale and exhale an amount of air to calm myself down.


    Higher Council Gustav was already inside of a carriage. While some guards are on their horses. The


    others guard me as they put me inside the wagon.


    I took ast nce at our house and saw my Mama and Papa standing on the door, weeping for me as


    the wagon started to move.


    The heavy sound of the horses feet while running towards the north was the only thing that I could hear.


    Little by the little, the town disappeared from my sight and all I could see was the greenfields as the


    wagon moved towards a forest.


    I was nervous the whole ride. I curled myself on one of the corners of the wagon. The guards who were


    with me kept ncing at my side. And I could see a creepy smile on their lips while they were looking at


    each other after looking at me. I started to feel ufortable by their stare.


    I looked at myself and I didn¡¯t notice that I was just wearing a thin white dress.


    ¡°How old are you?¡± one of the guards asked with a creepy smile.


    ¡°Answer you peasant. You¡¯ve been asked,¡± the other guard said as he moved closer to me.


    My eyes widened and I pressed myself more to the corner of the wagon. Fear crept in me when one of


    the guards hand was about to touch my leg. But before he could touch my leg, his hand suddenly set into


    fire.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± the guard cried in pain. I didn¡¯t even notice that it was my hand who set his hand into fire.


    The handcuff that was on my hand melted as well as the shackles on my feet.


    I stood up and jumped down the running wagon without a second thought.


    I grimaced from the pain when my bodynded on the dusty road. I felt a stinging pain on some part of


    my body. There, I noticed that I got some scratches on my elbows and knees as I tried to stand up.


    ¡°The prisoner escaped!¡± the guard shouted, making me look at the wagon.


    It already stopped as well as the carriage. The guards who are in their horses, run towards my direction.


    They wereing for me!


    My eyes widened and started to run away from them. I didn¡¯t mind the pain that I was feeling. I just want


    to get away from them. I keep on looking back while running as fast as I could.


    I gasped and dropped on the ground when Higher Council Gustav suddenly appeared in front of me.


    Without a trace of any emotion on his face, he stood in front of me.


    Howe? He was inside the carriage! He didn¡¯t even step down from it.


    I looked at him with confusion. It was impossible for him to appear in front of me. I didn¡¯t even notice his


    movement!


    ¡°You have the guts to run away, you prisoner.¡± My body shivered from fear when I heard his voice. His


    voice screamed of danger telling me that I need to stay away.


    He leaned down and whispered something in my ear. Anguage that I couldn¡¯t even understand. And


    before I could ask, someone suddenly hit the back of my head, making me pass out.


    ***


    I woke up when I felt the cold water ssh on my face. I gasped when another amount of water sshed


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    again to me.


    I wiped the water from my face using my hands and looked at the person in front of me.


    It was one of the royal guards. He was holding a pail of water with him. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake.¡± He walked


    towards the corner and took something and then threw it to me. ¡°Change into that,¡± he said before


    leaving.


    My eyes widened when I realized where I was. I was already in prison!


    Did I sleep again that long? Goodness!


    I looked at every corner where I was being held in. All I could see was a brick wall and a steel door that


    was probably locked outside. There was no window for the light from the outside toe in. Only a small


    torching from the outside of the door¡¯s small hole that was enough to light up inside my prison.


    I looked at myself. I was soaking wet and my feet are with shackles, again. But it was differentpared


    to the first one that I just melted. Should I try and melt it again?


    I sighed and just picked up the clothes that the guard threw to me a while ago and changed into them. It


    was a prison dress. A dirty white in color and slightly big to my size.


    I took a peek outside from the small hole on the door. It was kind of weird. I didn¡¯t see any other prison


    the same as mine outside. There were two guards guarding outside my prison.


    I sat down on one of the corners of my prison and looked around. I smiled bitterly.


    So this is my home starting today, huh? I just hope that I will survive.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    The door of my prison suddenly opened. A smile was already stered on my face. I knew who was


    going in.


    It was Laura.


    She was also from the Sc Town. She became my friend here in prison. She was a ve of the pce


    and was the one assigned to deliver food to me everyday. She was the one who made me sane for the


    My stay here was the worst thing that anyone could ever imagine. I was surrounded by four thick grey


    stone walls, there was nothing else to do but stare at them. A small barred opening with thick metal on


    the ceiling that let fresher air in and it was a relief, helping to alleviate the stench of festering sewage.


    It was no brighter inside the cell than the gathering gloom of dusk. The bed was a nk of iron, an old


    mattress, a small pillow and only one thin nket. It was suffocatingly quiet. Anything to pass time,


    slowly going mad, it has no life or meanings from the cell¡¯s nk stare.


    The cell was actually designed to resist fire. It was Laura who told me about that. I couldn¡¯t believe that


    there was such a fire resistant cell. It was like it was built just for the likes of me. One who has the gift of


    fire.


    The food was also the worst. A stale bread and a broth everyday. Sometimes it was even spoiled. If I¡¯m


    lucky, I¡¯m going to get water too. Good thing that Mama and Papa would sometimes deliver food to Laura


    for me. Twice or thrice a month only. They were not allowed to do it everyday.


    I did survive. Thinking that one day someone would help me escape from this pithole kept me living. I


    tried to escape once, but my fire was not strong enough to melt the solid door. It was resistant to my


    attacks and it had a solid concrete frame and always locked.


    ¡°Good morning, Ayesha,¡± Laura greeted me with a smile when she got near me. She was holding a tray


    with a bottle of water and a small basket on it.


    ¡°Good morning, Laura,¡± I greeted back.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your breakfast,¡± she said, putting the tray on the small wooden table. I already have one with one


    wooden chair too.


    ¡°What was it?¡± I asked, peeking on the tray from her back.


    ¡°Your Mama brought you some food. It was inside the basket.¡±


    My eyes widened. My Mama!


    ¡°She was here, again?¡± I looked at him with a hopeful expression.


    ¡°She was outside the castle. You already knew that she¡¯s not allowed here in the dungeon. And you¡¯re


    not allowed to have visitors too. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She looked at me with a sad expression and I couldn¡¯t help


    but feel sad too.


    I sighed and sat on the chair. ¡°It was fine. I understand. How was she? Did you talk to her?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She was fine. She said that she missed you a lot. Your Papa too. He missed you a lot too.¡± She


    smiled at me and took the tray with her. ¡°I can¡¯t stay longer. They need me to run some errands. I will be


    seeing you tomorrow,¡± she said before he left my prison.


    I sighed and smiled bitterly again. Same as usual. I¡¯m going to eat alone again.


    I checked what was inside the basket. There was bread, fruits and a bottle of milk inside. These would


    surely be spoiled tomorrow so I better consumed it first before it spoiled.


    I only eat one piece of bread and drink some milk leaving an amount for me to drink for lunch and dinner.


    I looked at one of the corners of the stone wall and saw the tiny scribbles that I wrote for thest two


    years using a stone. I¡¯ve been counting the days of my stay here. And I couldn¡¯t wait to get out.


    I went to my bed and decided to take a nap. That was one of the things that I always do here. Sleeping.


    Iy on my bed and fell into slumber.


    I blinked a couple of times and looked where I was. I was again in the forest. The forest where I


    identally set on fire.


    My forehead creased when I suddenly heard someone calling my name.


    ¡°Ayesha.¡±


    I turned back and forth to find where the voice wasing.


    ¡°Ayesha.¡±


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    Here it was again. Calling me as if he wanted to say something.


    I covered my eyes when suddenly the wind started to blow. It was so strong making the trees and dust


    dance along with it.


    My brows furrowed when I heard something strange. It was like a sound of pping wings. And it was


    I looked up and gasped from what I saw. It was a dragon.


    Its enormous bat-like wing spreads, webbing of the back as its skin itself is a light golden-yellow color. As


    itnded on the ground, its weights are heavy and reverberating can shake mountains. Its scales on its


    body gleamed with burningva, the four limbs all of which arerge and strong and end in ws and it


    has a long coiled tail. The looks of it, the dragon was deceptively strong.


    My eyes widened when the dragon moved in front of me. The dragon¡¯s eyes were almost hypnotizing


    and weremp-like and red-orange that looked at me as if it wanted to say something.


    ¡°Ayesha.¡±


    I gasped again when I heard my name. It was the dragon. So it was the one who kept on calling my


    name?


    I just stood in front of the dragon. I didn¡¯t even feel scared which was weird.


    ¡°Are you the one who was calling me?¡± I asked, while looking at him.


    ¡°Yes, Ayesha,¡± it answered back


    ¡°Wow! How did a dragon like you knew my name?¡±


    ¡°I am the Fire Dragon Smander. You are the chosen one. I will lend you my power and help you


    escape from where you are right now.¡±


    ¡°You will lend your power to me? Why?¡± I asked, confused.


    ¡°Everything has a reason. And you will know yours when the right timees. Wake up and I will show


    you what the Fire Dragon Smander can do.¡±


    ¡°Ahh!¡± I woke up and whimpered in pain when my back hit the floor. I fell from the bed while sleeping.


    The stone ceiling of my prison greeted my eyes.


    So it was all just a dream. I even thought that it was real. Why would my dream always be in that forest?


    Was it because it was my fault that the forest was burned? I really wonder why.


    And about my dream. I dream about the Fire Dragon! I haven¡¯t even seen one in person! And it was


    offering me to lend its power!


    Funny Ayesha! Why would the Fire Dragon Smander lend his power to you? So you believe that


    dragons really exist now? You haven¡¯t seen one in person. You¡¯re being delusional.


    You are the chosen one, Ayesha.


    I gasped and my eyes widened when I heard the familiar voice from my dream. It can¡¯t be!


    I think I¡¯m just hearing things again.


    ¡°Wake up, Ayesha,¡± I said while pping my right cheek with my hand.


    I was startled when the door from my cell suddenly opened.


    It was Laura, again.


    My brows furrowed when she hurriedly ran towards my direction.


    ¡°Ayesha! You need to escape from here,¡± she said nervously.


    ¡°W-What are you talking about, Laura?¡± I asked, confused by what she said.


    ¡°The royal guards wereing. They were nning to execute you today. I heard them talking. You


    need to leave before they¡ª-¡°


    Laura was cut-off when the door burst open. Blood drained from her face while looking at the door. Five


    royal guards wereing towards us. They were on their armor with a sword on their side. One of the


    guards had a mace in his hand and the other one had handcuffs and chains. My eyes widened when one


    of the guards pulled Laura away from me and pped her hard on the face making her slump on the


    floor.


    ¡°Traitor!¡± the guard shouted angrily.


    I feel like burning from anger when I saw the other guard dragged Laura from the floor.


    ¡°Let go of her!¡± I shouted angrily to the guard.


    The three guards sprinted towards my direction. They were holding a chain. They held me and tried to tie


    me with the chain but my body suddenly burst into fire. My body was azed, melting the chain from my


    body and shackles from my feet. The three guards screamed from pain and stepped back away from me.


    ¡°Ayesha!¡± My eyes snapped back to Laura when I heard her screamed. The guards were trying to hit her


    with mace.


    It was my reflex. A ball of fire was thrown to the guard who was holding the maceing from my hand.


    The guard screamed from pain and scooted on the ground as the fire engulfed his whole body.


    The other guard left sessfully dragged Laura out of my prison and locked the door outside.


    Call me, Ayesha. And I wille to you in an instant.


    It was the voice again. The voice in her dreams. The voice of the Fire Dragon Smander.


    ¡°Fire Dragon Smander!¡± Without second thoughts, I shouted its name and right there in front of me,


    the Fire Dragon Smander appeared and spit fire on the door, melting itpletely.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    I gasped and looked at the dragon in front of me. It was really the one in my dream. The appearance


    itself was the same as what I saw.


    The Fire Dragon Smander was real!


    After melting the door, the dragon spit another fire again to the stone wall of my cell creating a big hole


    leading towards the outside.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel awed by how powerful the fireing from the Fire Dragon Smander was.


    ¡°You are real,¡± I was looking at the dragon with a shocked expression.


    Yes, Ayesha.


    I couldn¡¯t believe that the Fire Dragon Smander was really real! I blinked a couple of times just to


    make sure I am not imagining things. But the dragon was still in front me.


    Get on my back. We need to leave. The guards areing. The dragon said in my head as it lowered its


    back for me to climb.


    I looked at the melted door hoping to see Laura but she was out of sight.


    Where did the guard take her?


    ¡°I need to take Laura with me,¡± I plead to the dragon.


    My brows furrowed. Did I just hear him make a disapproving sound?


    We can¡¯t take her. She can¡¯t withstand the heating from me.


    My eyes widened when I saw a lot of guards with weaponsing in our way. I hurriedly climbed on the


    back of the dragon and held on to its back.


    Before the guards could get closer, the Fire Dragon Smander flew out of prison and went up to the


    sky.


    The clear blue sky and the rays of the sun weed my eyes. The winding from the dragon¡¯s


    pping wings blew my red hair, almost covering my sight. I scooped it with my other hand when the


    dragon halted and then it flew away and went towards the direction of the forest.


    After two long years, I was really out in the open.


    ***


    The Fire Dragon Smander brought me to the forest.


    Your journey will start here, Ayesha.


    The dragon said after putting me safely in the ground, and then it suddenly disappeared from my sight.


    ¡°Smander?¡± I called the dragon but it was not responding. Where did it go?


    Why did it disappear right away? I had a lot of questions that I wanted to ask the dragon.


    What did the dragon mean when it said that my journey will start here?


    It confused me.


    I looked at where I am and sighed. Now, I¡¯m all alone. I closed my eyes and felt the fresh air. It felt so


    good. It felt so cold on my skin but it made me alive.


    I opened my eyes and looked around. I couldn¡¯t believe that I was really out of the prison.


    What I needed to do was to hide from the royal guards. And I need to be careful. I knew they were


    already trying to look for me.


    I started to walk and wander through the forest. The branches and leaves of the trees were dancing with


    the wind.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I had been wandering the forest. The sun was already set and it was getting dark.


    I noticed a smoke that wasing not that far away from where I am. I followed the path going there and


    saw a tiny house of wood and straw.


    I hid in one of the trees nearby and tried to check if there was someone inside and outside the house.


    There were clothes hanging outside. The smoke that I saw was actuallying from bonfire in front of


    the house.


    When I made sure that no one was around, I hurriedly ran towards the house and took the sleeveless


    tunics and the cloak that was hanging outside. I also saw a pair of shoes so I took it with me and ran


    away from the house before anyone could see me.


    I was panting really hard when I stopped from running. I was already far from the house. I hurriedly


    changed my clothes and wore the cloak and the pair of shoes that I stole. Lucky me. The shoes fitted my


    feet and the cloak was big enough to cover my whole body including my long red hair. I need to hide my


    hair. It attracted a lot of attention.


    I found a spot where I could stay for the night and sleep. I gathered some fallen dried twigs and branches


    that fell from the trees and made a bonfire out of it to keep me warm for the night. I could just make my


    body aze to make me warm, but it would burn my clothes. So, nope. The bonfire would do.


    The sound of the cricket and the swinging branches of the tree was all I could hear. The bonfire in front


    of me became my light for the night. I looked up and saw a lot of stars but the moon was out of sight. I


    curled myself into a fetal position as I covered myself with the cloak. The evening wind was already


    chilling. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep while thinking about what I should do when I woke up.


    ***


    The sound of the birds chirping woke me up the next day. I covered my eyes when the rays of the sun hit


    my face. It had been a while since I got a glimpse of the mighty sun.


    I stood up and raised my arms to stretch it. I already know what I would do starting today. I would find my


    way back to Sc Town. I wanted to see my Mama and Papa.


    I bit my lower lip when I heard the slight grumble of my stomach. I didn¡¯t eatst night. I was famished. I


    decided to wander again into the forest and find something to eat. I know there were a lot of wild berries


    here. I was hoping that I could find some. And I am also hoping that I wouldn¡¯t encounter any wild boar.


    But I guess I was really unlucky. Just a couple of meters away from me was a wild boar lurking on the


    bushes as if it was finding something. It made a sound as its feet scratched the ground.


    I stepped back slowly but unfortunately I stepped on the dried leaves creating a cracking sound that


    made the boar look into my direction with menacing eyes.


    My eyes widened when the wild boar started to run towards my direction.


    I turned around and ran as fast as I could. My heart was beating so fast. I kept on looking back to the


    boar while running.


    Oh my god! Oh my god!


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    The wild boar was chasing me!


    ¡°Oh no! Do not provoke me boar! I was famished. If you will not stop chasing me, you will be


    roasted meat in an instant!¡± I shouted at the boar while running.


    Something came up in my mind. Roasted Meat! Wait a minute¡­ That would be a great idea! I haven¡¯t


    eaten meat for a long time!


    I stopped abruptly and turned to face the boar. A yful smile stered on my lips as I saw the wild boar


    fast approaching towards my direction. I flicked my hand to produce fire when the boar jumped towards


    where I was. I stepped back and I threw a small fire ball towards its direction. It screamed when the fire


    engulfed its body and then stopped and fell down on the ground.


    Is it already dead?


    I walked towards its direction and put off the fire from its body.


    It was dead! I licked my lower lip while looking at half roasted boar. I¡¯m already salivating.


    I reached for its leg and dragged it on the side. I looked for some dried twigs and branches, and also


    something to tie the boar. I¡¯m going to roast it thoroughly. All its meat would serve as my food until I got


    back to Sc Town.


    ***


    I was in the middle of eating the boar when I heard something not far from where I was sitting.


    I covered the roasted boar with the fresh leaves that I gathered a while ago and hid in one of the trees. I


    covered myself with the cloak while waiting if someone would appear.


    I heard another sound. It was a cracking sound of the dried leaves. As if someone just stepped on it.


    My eyes widened when the sound was actuallying from my back.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± I stiffened when I heard a baritone voice of a man. He saw me.


    I was about to run when a hand grabbed me from behind making me face the man who just called me.


    I froze when he suddenly removed the hood of my cloak, revealing my face to him.


    I gasped when I saw a beautiful pair of gray orbs looking at me as if he was looking into my soul.


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