Ava

8 - Recollections

The three have been travelling through the forest for about a week now, keeping off the roads, mostly using tunnels and mines to rest. This whole journey all blurred into scurrying between trees, hiding in the tunnels and living off with birds they’ve hunted, some dried meat and spring water. Black said they needed to go find someone in a small town near the borders of the western and southern region. And after, he’d agreed to fulfill his words about helping Ava in finding the fountain of life. And now, they have finally reached the end of their journey, only to be met by empty and shattered houses and streets. It’s as if not a single soul lives in there.

“Are you sure that we’ll be able to find that person you are looking for here?” Casix asked as he looked around the town.

Black didn’t answer but walked closely to the houses and they followed. Upon reaching the first house, Black knocked a few times and received no answer. Opening the door, a foul smell automatically engulfed them and Casix almost wanna throw up upon seeing a decaying body lying on the house’s floor. Black went to the body right away, not minding the rotting smell, the swarming flies and worms around it. As soon as he touched it, a lighting volt struck him and a flash of memory made him see the last moments of this person who died.

“Please don’t kill me.” The man begged desperately for his life. 

“Tell me first where the hell is Black.” Giles, the new Emperor’s general replied. 

“I swear. I don’t know. He hasn’t visited this town for…for a while now…no one has really seen him.” The man said with all honesty.

“Liar!” Giles yelled before slashing his sword unto the poor soul.

After seeing that, Black immediately got out and checked on the neighboring houses and saw more rotting bodies everywhere. Ava and Casix also went and checked and they all found the same thing. Some bodies were even left lying on the sides of the streets. There was absolutely no life except for the crows that feeds on these bodies and circled above.

Ava turned her gaze on Black who stood frozen for a while, watching the ruined town. Though it was a small town, she’s sure that hundreds of souls must have lived there too. But now, they’re all left to die.

What happened to this place? She asked herself as she eyed the man in black. 

The wind ruffled his black cloak and it swept some of his stray hairs that covered his white pale face. Then he slowly removed the hood of his cloak, revealing his messily tied long black hair, and he bowed mumbling words she couldn’t hear. Black jaws clenched, and suddenly he seemed so sad to Ava, sadder and colder than she’s ever seen him. She then got the urge to comfort him even if she doesn’t understand what’s going on. Without further thinking, her feet voluntarily walked closer to Black and she placed a hand on his shoulder which made him stiffen for bit before he turned to look at her. His deep black eyes stared at her intently and she met his intense gaze with a comforting look.

“These people…they will not die in vain.” Ava said softly, loud enough for Black to hear. Then her stung eyes stung and her breath shook. “The heavens will surely place judgment to whoever did this.”

“I caused it.” Black blurted out seriously and swallowed a lump on his throat. His expression was indescribable and his icy demeanor made the place chillier.

Then he lowered his head. Ava automatically squeezed his hand. This made him look up and gaze at her intently.

"You’re not to blame.” She said comfortingly then glanced at Casix with a gentle smile. She now understood what he meant when he told her that it wasn’t her fault when his village was attacked. “I’m sorry you had to see this, Black.” 

After sometime, Casix spoke up once again, “It is him, isn’t it? The New Emperor?”

Black finally faced him and nodded. 

“The Emperor?” Ava butted in. “But why? Why would he kill so many? Why did he kill all these people? I thought he was preserving the human race? That he is their protector? These people are clearly humans. No magic in their systems at all.”

Ava knows that even humans are treated unfairly. She’s a witness to that. Most in the far flung areas are dying and suffering from hunger and poverty. But she didn’t expect the Emperor to be this harsh and inhumane. 

“Because he just wants to.” Casix replied as his jaw clenched. “He is just cruel and proud. He was only using the humans but in reality, he’s just horrible. Hating all the magical creatures is just an excuse for him to purge us out. He’s a selfish b*stard!”

Black began walking towards the town hall. Ruins spread around their feet. Bricks and shattered blades have littered the streets. The houses have blackened surely with fire, some roofs were missing and their walls were chipped open. Opening the door, a sorrowful sight was displayed. Inside the town hall were piles of bodies, left out to rot in peace. Some were mothers huddling over their babes, other were grasping rusted swords, and you can see bodies of children hidden in the corners. Everyone was slayed mercilessly like their lives didn’t matter.

Ava could barely breathe as tears streamed down her face. Her throat constricted at the sight as her fist trembled in anger, sorrow and pity. She wanted to lash out so bad for what the Emperor had done. The pain filled her belly like ice. 

“So cruel.” She spewed. She may have had bad encounters with humans who betrayed her several times and wanted to sell her off, but she will never wish their fate to be like this.

“Black.” A voice called out from behind them and Casix immediately turned and pointed his readied bow.

“Stop.” Black said firmly and motioned the centaur to stay down. Then he turned to the man who called him out. “Alvis.” 

*** 

“I was late.” Black said, breaking the silence in the place they’re in. “You should have just gone and saved your life.” 

It was a very small underground room hidden about two levels below a distant shattered house. Ava and Casix were curious as to how they were able to dig this up but knowing Black, they knew it was only possible because of him.

“When I got your message…I tried to tell everyone that he is coming but no one believed me.” Alvis said sadly, feeling bad that he was the only one who survived the m******e. “I asked them to come with me but they didn’t want to.” 

Seeing the room, Ava was sure about 10 more people can really come here and hide for safety.

Why didn’t they believe him? 

“It’s the Emperor’s fault.” Ava said and Alvis just gave her a bitter smile with a nod.

Then he went to the corner and rummaged his stuff looking for something before walking back with a small box on his hand.

“Here it is.” Alvis said before giving the small box to Black. 

Black brought out an earthen canister from the box and opened it. Inside was a whitish and glittery ointment. 

“They said that is the best in the market and that is the last one so far.” Alvis continued before he sat back down. 

Black then took Ava’s hand who was seated beside him and handed her the ointment. 

“Use it when you get cuts, it covers the scent of your flaming blood from the Peace Keepers.” Black said and Ava’s eyes widened in surprise. 

An ointment that covers my flaming blood’s scent? 

She gave Black a questioning look as she took a closer look of the substance inside. 

“What is this made of?” Ava asked curiously, amazed that there is something like this being sold in the market. 

“It’s unicorn’s blood.” Alvis spoke out and answered her. That made Ava almost drop the container she was holding. 

“What?!” Ava and Casix blurted out loudly at the same time. 

“It’s a rare item now since unicorns are now basically extinct. And so I had to pull a few strings before I can finally get it.” Alvis said and scratched the back of his head.

“You humans killed unicorns for this???” Casix yelled angrily, grabbing Alvis’ collar. Swelling in size, his clothes were all torn down as he shifted to his centaurian form, lifting the poor man in the air. The centaur thrust his face close and snarled. “You killed those rare enchanted creatures for their blood???” 

Though the centaurs have lived in seclusion, most are close with the unicorns. Because just like them, they were also half-horses by blood. Casix even had the chance to freely play with these enchanted creatures before the purge happened. They were rare beings but now, they are all gone.

“Don’t kill me, please! I only bought it but didn’t kill any of them!” Alvis cried fearfully, shocked to see a living angry centaur in front of him. 

“Back off, centaur!!! I was the one who asked him to buy one.” Black declared loudly and immediately pulled Alvis away from Casix. The human scurried behind Black, trembling in fear. “The market’s been going on ever since the purge and it wasn’t his fault that the unicorns are all gone.”

“Casix, please calm down. Black’s right.” Ava also said as she pulled Casix’ arm. “Just please calm down.” 

The centaur nodded afterwards and shifted back to his human form, steadying his breath.

“You must remember that the purge included every living creature and unicorns are no exemption. In fact, they were even captured and sold off expensively because of the magical abilities of their blood and their horn. You must know that.” Black started, also calming down. “Just like unicorns, Zmeus are also hunted for their flaming blood and we can never travel freely and find the fountain if we would always have Peace Keepers swarming over us whenever she gets a small cut!” 

Casix realized that what he’s saying is true. It’ll always be dangerous to travel knowing that the lady’s blood can attract thousands of their enemies in mere minutes whenever she hurts herself. His gaze then fell to the lady whose ever so tightly gripping the canister.

“Who are selling this ointments?” Ava asked, knowing what might be the answer.

Alvis looked at her hesitantly before looking at Black who just nodded at him.

“Other surviving Zmeus.” He then replied and Ava closed her eyes to hide the pain knowing that her own kind have merchandize an enchanted blood for their own benefit.

“Every living creature was forced to do something against their principles, woman. Don’t judge your own kind too badly. They just want to live and survive.” Black commented before leaving the room. 

Do you really have to sacrifice even your own principles in order to live and survive? She pondered painfully. 

*** 

Opening her eyes, Ava thought she was going to die but then she landed safely in the old woman’s arms. 

“Thank you, Oma.” She said before searching for her mother through the chaos. “Mama!” 

“Mama!!!” Ava shrieked before sitting up. Sweat and tears covered her as she tried to catch her breath. 

“Are you okay?” Casix asked worriedly as he also woke up because of her scream.

Alvis as well was eyeing her from the corner where he laid. 

“I’m fine. Sorry for disturbing you both.” She said and stood up.

“Where are you going?” Alvis asked worriedly, afraid to be left alone with the centaur.

“I need some air.” She answered and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, he will not do anything to you.”

Then she nodded at the centaur before walking out of the room and climbing up. Ava sighed as soon as she moved out of the small house she’s in. The town feels haunted and empty. It added up to the heavy emotion she’s feeling inside.

She doesn’t remember anything about herself from the moment she woke up in that haystack 20 years ago except for those dreams she keeps having. That’s also how she knew her name. It was because the old woman she called Oma called her ‘Ava’. It was clear on her dreams that in order to survive, she mustn’t trust anyone, she mustn’t tell them her name and that she mustn’t let anyone see her eyes.

But what does it mean to survive without knowing who I am? Ava asked herself and sighed. 

She had tried for so many years to recall her past but remembered nothing. 

“Hey, pretty!” Eli yelled and ran after her. “I have a good and bad news for you.” 

Eli became a friend to her exactly three years ago when she moved to their village. She was running then from a group of Peace Keepers after escaping because she was captured and sold by humans in the last town she’s in. And Eli saved her and brought her home where his father accepted her and gave her a decent job in their farm even if they knew she was a Zmeu. They helped her hide her identity from the town folks and live normally. Little did she know that Eli was part of a small resistance group in their village who secretly fight against Peace Keepers.

“What is it?” She asked curiously.

“Choose. Good news or bad news?” He asked.

“Good.” Ava answered.

“I heard that someone from the north have actually encountered the fountain of life.” He said happily.

Ava's eyes widened and for the first time she smiled widely at him and embraced him tightly, grateful for all of his help. She made it her life’s mission to find the fountain as she dreamt about her mother one time and she told her that they have to find it.

“Thank you, Eli!” She exclaimed happily and he just smiled back. “Did you get more details? I can go find it now.”

“That’s the bad news.” Eli then said, turning serious and Ava looked at him curiously. “We can only go there after our group attacks the borders tonight.” 

“Tonight?” Ava asked worriedly and Eli nodded. 

“You know that I have to go. We have everything sorted out. Only ten Peace Keepers will be guarding the borders tonight we have the right numbers to go and take them out. Once the borders are unguarded, then our town people can finally have more access to more resources that we need. If we’re able to control it, we’ll have a road that our own merchants can use for the trading industry. There will be more food, more accessibility, more supplies for our sick people and more of everything.” Eli excitedly said. He was always this unselfish, always thinking of what he can do for other people. “This could be our only chance.” 

Ava then hesitantly looked at him. “I don’t really think that a great idea, Eli.”

“Hey, it’s all gonna be okay.” He responded.

Ava then smiled softly and nodded. “I’m sure even you father will not stop you. So neither will I.”

“Thank you.” Eli said and hugged her tightly. “I swear on my mother’s blood, I will help you find the fountain after this. We will go to the north together. I will help you find the way.” 

“Eli. You don’t have to do this for me. You don’t need to leave your father and your beloved town just to help me.” Ava said. “You don’t even know me fully. You don’t even know my name.”

“No one can ever really know someone fully. And I don’t need to know your name. I just know that I truly want to help you all the way. Just let me. Plus, I won’t allow you to travel alone to the north. The mountains and forest are dangerous. What if you get a cut and those b****y suckers come and get you? I won’t let that happen.” Eli replied and held her on both of her shoulders. “After tonight, you’ll finally find the fountain of life. Come with me. I already told father of my plans to go with in the north and he agreed. Come with me tonight and by dawn, we go straightly to the north.”

“But-“

"Please." He whispered.

She thought for a while before finally nodding. 

“Thank you.” Ava responded with gratitude. 

But that became a b****y night for Ava, Eli and their friends. They were betrayed by one of the members. Thus, instead of getting the upper hand, their group was slaughtered mercilessly and Ava saw everything. 

Eli. She thought desolately.

***