11 Chapter 6: Desert Quarry (1/2)

'We have schedules here'

Says Stray as he puts both his hands on each sides of his waist. ”We alternate days of training and work. Training happens at the pits. We sometimes use fiends found on the desert to train and sometimes we do matches. But since it's only the four of us here, matches will be off from the options for mean time. Work is compose of clearing debris below the ruins and gathering ores and some runic items we can find. Any questions?”

”So you're the only one who will be training us?” Aeron asks with one hand raised.

”The other mercenaries haven't return yet so far. So, me and Nora will handle it until the others arrive.”

”What about those men? Aren't they mercenaries too?” Aeron points out at a man guarding by the doorway

”Those are just maggots. The elite mercenaries that compose Ouboros left almost just the same day you two arrived.”

”How many are they?” Aeron went on. I can see why he is probing. We do need to know as much as we can about these people

”There are eight of the elite mercenaries with ascending ranks depending on their strengths and skills. The rest are just worthless fools like the one by the door” replied Stray as he pointed at the doorway

”I can hear you, Stray” the man says in exasperation even without turning to looks at us.

”Anyway—! Enough with the questions. You will all meet them eventually! But I don't know when they will be back...”

So there are other more mercenaries in this syndicate...

I sat at the other end of the table across from where Stray sat while he currently stood there explaining things for us. Beside him is Nora and the other children. Aeron sat beside me in silence as we finally finish eating the meal prepared for us. It wasn't anything grand but at least it was edible and sufficing enough. The table was elongated and made of wood. It accommodated all of us and then some. I assume it's 'supposedly' the seats of the previous children before us.

”Today we will start with work.” He concluded as he sat back down and gulped the remaining content in his mug and wiped his mouth with his sleeves. ”Nora will look after the she-twin and the other one goes with me!”

She-twin...

He could've at least used our names, I thought.

”Wait... who would look after the other children?” I asked, raising a hand. ”They will be led back inside our rooms safely. They won't be harmed unless we do something Cerguz won't like.” Replied Stray as he scouts his eyes at the other children who were still trying to finish their plate. ”They already know the drill so you don't have to worry about them. Just focus on the work so we can all have a peaceful dinner tonight altogether.”

For an ill-mannered guy, he's surprisingly responsible and caring to the other children. I stared at him as he went on explaining about the ruins below where we will be working at. He explains about how this entire structure is a ruins buried deep in the sand and that the only main surface that was left unburied is what Ouboros had chosen to become their base.

Everything else below that has been buried is what we are suppose to explore.

As he went on explaining further, my focus went on with something else.

I studied his eyes.

The colors are beautiful. I've never seen such a serious looking eyes yet soothing to look at even though his face is nearly covered by his bangs. I wonder what type of Lord he could have been if he didn't end up here in Ouboros?

I looked around the room. It was a small space with no windows as well. The walls were made of stones. In every corner of the room, torches lit, providing enough lighting. Four other tables are present around us— a total of five. There is only one door where a man in cloak stood in silence. His back facing us.

I sink back further to my seat and sighed.

I wonder when can we find a way out of this place?

I look down and realized how unsightly my torned skirt and stained white cloak are.

I was so ignorant and careless. All I thought about is my fate about becoming the destined Fallen One. I never even bothered to recognize the possibility that as a highborn, abductions is a danger too.

At least they are all provided here... especially with clothes, I thought as I blinked my eyes and looked up to study Nora in silence, she wore plain red and cream dress that was enough to provide her coverings but loose enough to perhaps allow her to move around. I wonder if she's a skilled mercenary like Stray?

And on her neck was a choker similar to ours.

A simple black leather one.

I tried to grope at mine and realize there was no way to take it off.

I looked at Stray, he has a choker too.

Hmm. I wonder if these serve as label of sort.

In a faintest of hint, my eye catches a scar on Stray's neck. My eyes searches for any other exposed skin he has as if wondering if his body is filled with scar. Nora mentioned he's been here the longest as an abducted child.

He must have the most experience then.

He has broad shoulders, I noted, with an epaulet laid on his right while a small black cloak wrapped around him that draped towards his back, but it rather looks like a scarf.

He has muscles on his arms. Perhaps he built it from all the years he's been in here. He wore that black shirt that seems like layers of apparel stitched together but it was tight enough to clearly define his lean chest and body.

What a matured body for a 14 year old, I thought to myself as my eye descends as he stood back up and went on conversing with Nora and Aeron.

His shirt stops shortly pass the half of his torso. With several leather bands that loosely tied around his hips like a belt or something. I wonder what they are for?

I took my mug up and decided to finish my drink.

My eyes goes back scanning his exposed torso, it defined an outline of his muscles. Perhaps abs?

Wait. What am I wondering about!

Scar. I thought. I am checking for scars!

Wait.

Why though?

I glanced up and realize Stray was eyeing me tentatively.

”Looking at this?” He pulls his shirt up, exposing his vividly defined abdominal muscles and hard packed abs.

'Pffffffffft——!?!'

I spit out all the drink from my mouth in surprise.

”Perv” he sneers, putting his shirt back down.

”I-I-I wasn't —!!!” I hem and haw, my hands fleeting everywhere in a fluster.

Aeron, Nora and the other children just looked at me in wonder.

”I w-was just— ugh! Never mind!” I stuttered.

I can feel my face flushing.

Damn it. He misunderstood!

If I try to explain further I would only look more guilty so I just shut my mouth close and bowed my head down in embarrassment.

”So is everybody done? We still have a long day ahead. Nora, you will take LG-09 today. I'll take the LG-12.”

Everybody began to stand up. I looked up as the children lined in a row near the door.

”Let's work hard today, Aerra” Nora walks up to me in a smile. ”I'll do my best” I replied as she nodded.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

After stepping out of the dining area, another man in cloak led us deeper inside the labyrinth like passages. Stray and Aeron walked ahead of us.

”There are instances we encounter aggressive fiends below the ruins, Aerra. If that happens, just go behind me. I'm not as strong as Stray but I can handle them well.” Explained Nora as she looked at me. ”Have you ever considered if you might be a Wielder or a Transmuter?”

I tilt my head to the side.

I heard about those... but I can't remember.

”You don't know what Wielders and Transmuters are?” she asked in surprise.

”We were taught about those during our morning lectures” intruded Aeron, ”Don't tell me you weren't paying attention?”

”Really? We were?” I tapped my temples, ”Oh. In that case I wasn't paying attention.”

Aeron rubs his temples as if a headache bloomed.

I honestly think I read it rather than heard it though.

I scout my eyes around as we went on walking further. Every corner has a stationed man in cloak. I feel no tension in the air but security was tight regardless.

We soon turned in a corner and passed a huge empty hall with high ceilings and with walls made of sandstones where several doors can be seen.

That place is left unguarded though... I wonder where those doors leads to?

”When our power awakens, we can either be categorized as a Wielder or a Transmuter.” Nora explains in as-a-matter-of-fact tone, I turned and focused my attention to her as she went on explaining. ”Wielders are those who have an ability to wield magic or elements. Sometimes non elementals abilities manifest too. There are variety of types; Some can control stones and create golems and some can even have a gift of sight— like watch people even from hundreds of meters away.”

I remembered Grantzæl City. Perhaps my uncle is a Wielder type after all.

If such power like uncle's run in the family, I wonder what Aeron's will be.

Oh wait.

Now I remember—!

”And Transmuters are those that can turn into a weapon, right?” I uttered and waited for Nora's response.

She nods. ”That's right!”

The centennial priestess will be looking for a Transmuter as her holy weapon, her Familiar.

”I'm actually a Transmuter” says Nora

I looked up at her abruptly.

”An explosive, like a bomb.”

She giggled. ”Not the best type of weapon though because I can explode on the instance of transforming so I never really tried mastering it at all.”

”I'm a Transmuter too” added Stray as he morps his hand into a blade similar to the one I saw yesterday. ”But this kind of transformation is incomplete. I need a Meister if I would want to complete my transformation. But still, I can do well without one.”

”A Meister is someone who syncs with a Transmuter. They are like a swordsman and his sword, for short.” supplied Nora even before I could ask what the term means.

”But even a Transmuter like me can master one element. So I recommend you two snow heads pick one up and stick with it. I picked Wind since it's the easiest to conjure and it's properties matches my own fighting style.” Says Stray as he reaches a hand to pat Aeron on the head.

”People from this continent mistakenly believe that any Light elemental user can just simply turn to the Dark element whenever they want

”You say that as if it's so easy to just simply pick one and summon it up” grumbled Aeron as he tries to dodges Stray's hand but in many fail attempts he finally submits and let him tousle his hair.

”Well you can start trying to control one element already even if you haven't awaken your powers yet. That's why it's called potential, isn't it?” replied Nora as she walked to match my pace and took me by the arm, latching onto me while wearing a sweet smile. ”Once you pass the age of ten, the bigger the potential usually is. Although, I actually thought the two of you will be around twelve because you're both tall for your age and mature too!”

I don't have the heart to tell her that it's not us who are tall but it's that she's short... so I just sighed.

I side glanced her as she beamed at me.

I'm at least relieved Nora is sweet and affable.

I wouldn't know what to do if she's like Stray.

”And what is your element, Nora?” I asked

”I'm fire. Do you want to be fire too, Aerra?”

”I haven't given it a thought yet.”

Wait.

Both Nora and Stray are skilled at some extent and they both have some knowledge about Ouboros, surely they have thought of trying to escape, right?

But right now— here they are.

What's keeping them here???

I wonder...

”Okay we're here. Quit your yappings and start with the work!” The man in cloak interrupted.

I looked ahead and saw a portal structure that somehow resembled the one in Grantzæl but this one had a weirder formation and symbols. It lit in a soft green light as we moved closer to it, strobing between a bright to a dim glow as if it was breathing.

”Aerra, stay close at all times, okay?” Says Nora as she stood up and walked ahead of me.

Stray pics up a rucksack and tossed it over to Aeron before walking to the structure with him as they vanish.

”Are you ready?” Nora asks she hands me a rucksack too as I nodded.

She then steps forward to the portal structure as I followed from behind. She reaches a hand over it and slowly cryptic symbols emitted around us and soon our surroundings changed.

That night, I stared at my trembling hands.

We cleared a lot of passages today.

I carried so much rocks and boulders with Nora the entire day that even forming a fist now became an impossible task. Even though in the end, majority of weight was being carried by Nora.

My entire arm feels sore no matter how much I twist it and stretch it around, especially my shoulders.

Even my feet won't stop trembling. And I'm already seated at this point.

I never thought just a day of manual labor can affect me this much.

Well, I suppose, I shouldn't be surprised since this body I have now never tasted any hardship ever.

”Time to eat!” says Stray as they all began with their dinner. I looked at my bowl, it was soup.

I reached for my spoon and tried my best to grab hold of it. But my spoon drops from my unsteady grip even before I could scoop anything. Even a pincer grasp was too hard for me.

I sighed.

I look at Aeron and he seems fine.

I guess it didn't affect him because he already had physical training prior.

I tried to lift my entire bowl up but it was too heavy for my current state and my hands were shaking too much, it might spill.

I sighed again.

”Tomorrow we will begin with training” stated Stray as he stood up and walked around. I looked up and realized everyone was almost done.

Stray stood behind me and took my bowl.

”Hey?!” I glared at him.

”You guys need to sleep early for tomorrow”

”I know” I replied as he suddenly poured the contents of my bowl into an empty mug he was holding. And then placed it in front of me.

Oh.

That's actually helpful!

I looked up to thank him but he already was walking away.

I took the mug up with both hands and gulped the soup as fast as I can to cope up with the other kids.

I can feel my mug trembles with my hand as I went on drinking. Well at least I can consume it now.

I can see from the corner of my eyes someone was reaching for my bowl again so I instinctively turned my head to look...

His face inches from mine.

I watch as his dark purple eyes just stared at me for a moment, impassively, before he blinks his eyes close and stood back up.

He stood for a second before stooping down once again. ”Put your other hand under the mug to make it steady.” he says in an almost a whisper that only the two of us could hear. I looked down and he was pouring the remaining content of soup from my bowl to the mug I was holding. ”You need to finish it all up otherwise you'll go hungry tonight.”

He was... paying attention.

I stared at him blankly as he gently wipes the corner of my mouth with his sleeve. And then he turns around and walked away just like that.

”....”

I suppose he's like this with the other children too?

”–Right, Aerra?” I snapped and realized Nora was talking to me. I turned to face her abruptly. ”What?” I asked.

”I said you were great today. You never even complained.”

My eyes sweeps to the empty seat beside Nora as Stray sits back down to it. I looked at his meal set and realize he doesn't have a mug.

Wait. Is this his mug then?!

”Aerra? Are you okay?”

I look at Nora. ”Your face is red” she frowns, looking at me with genuine concern.

”I'm fine!!!” I shook my head vigorously. ”What are we talking about again?”

”The ruins. I said you were amazingly hardworking. You didn't even complain.”

”Oh. That— well I just feel like it would be unfair for you if I did” I replied as Nora beamed at me.

”You're too kind. You should be tell me if it's too much for you next time. But I'm just glad we got through that!”

I side-glaced Stray as he just pointed at the mug I was holding. He mouthed, 'finish it' as I nodded and gulped the entire thing hastily.

This is his mug.

Ugh! I can't let go of the idea.

But at least he was attentive—

And helpful.

I put the empty mug down and reached for my own mug that has water in it and drank it fast as I can as well.

”Well now, I never thought you were that hungry” murmured Nora as I set my mug down, only to realize everyone was watching me in astonishment.

”N-no...! I...!!!”

My eyes automatically glanced from Nora to Stray. He smirks and those eye catching dimples shows up. Damn my eyes are selective!

I shut my eyes close.

I just bowed my head down. ”I'm done eating” I murmured in defeat.

”Is everybody done as well?” Asks Stray as he stood up. ”Okay. Let's go back then.”

And with that we were all led back.

The moment we reached our room, I threw myself to bed and felt the exhaustion drown me. It feels like floating on water. I feel so tired.

”Stray! Play with us?” I heard one of the children stated. I turned my head and watch as Stray takes one child up to his shoulder and he began running around with him. The other children played along around him as if they were all playing tag.

The first time I saw him, he was so stern looking.

He has that falcon's gaze that makes you feel like you're a prey being careful watched and studied to be attacked.

But once he opens his mouth: he's rude and careless with his words. Kind of loquacious as well. Yet he's surprisingly caring and vigilant with a charming smile.

And now... as I watch him play around and laugh with the children, it feels like watching a normal boy with a simple happy-go-lucky attitude.

It's amazing how someone who grew in an environment like this still manages to become a guy like him.

Amazing indeed.

”Are you okay?” Nora sits beside me as I looked at her and nodded. ”Tell me if there's something bothering you, okay?” She smiles warmly and gently pats my forehead, combing my hair as she does. She's like a mother figure, kind and soft spoken. I'm guessing she's worried if I miss my parents since we're just newly arrived.

Well I do of course... especially for Mama.

But sulking now won't actually help me or Aeron.

”It's only us in here. We need to stick together like a family. So if something is troubling you, don't hesitate in approaching me, okay?” she says as she gently squeezes my hand before standing up.

”Nora” I murmured, ”Can you sing that song again?”

She beamed at me, as if delighted that I even asked. Nora walked back and took her stringed instrument in a corner and then returned to my bed and sat beside me.

I close my eyes as Nora begun to play her lullaby.

It's really calming to listen to her.

What a beautiful voice.

I didn't even heard the most part as my consciousness drifted off too soon just few minutes after I closed my eyes.

”Wake up!”

A muffled voice yelled out from the otherside of the door. Banging three times. ”Breakfast”

I wearily opened my eyes.

I tried to move and realize my entire arms are sore. It felt as if all my muscles are throbbing. It was so painful to move as much as it feels like it weighs a ton to even lift a finger. Even my back feels sore.

I rolled myself off the bed and slowly anchored myself up with an elbow.

Goddamnit even my legs hurt.

”Aerra? Perhaps this helps?” says Nora as she touches my back with her really warm hands.

Gosh that feels so heavenly! I beamed at her. ”Thank you, Nora”

She giggled. ”Good thing I'm fire, huh?”

I nodded vigorously as she slowly and carefully assisted me up while wrapping her warm hands around my arm.

After breakfast we were led out by men in cloak outside. The temperature was cool but the sun beats it back down.

Blankets of sands stretches wide across the horizon. High belt of sand dunes are seen everywhere with the dry wind that carried dust along its course.

Escaping now would only seem impossible with the vast open land. They would likely spot us in a split second. We'll be hunted like hopeless preys.

I sighed. And besides, I can't run with my legs like this. Plus there are children behind. Who knows what Cerguz might do to them if I even tried running off now.

The airship is gone though—

We walked for few minutes away, with our feet sinking shallowly under the hot sands as we went on. ”Almost there” says Nora as she pointed at a mirage like image.

I peered through the heat waves above the sands and saw a small quarry made from sandstones. ”This is the Pit” says Nora as she stepped away from me and walked ahead.

”Let's go!”

I looked back and saw the ruins in a distance. We really aren't that far after all.

I wing my head back and stared at the sky above me and squinted at the scorching sun. ”It's so hot” I cursed under my breath. I feel like I'm melthing.

A gust of wind suddenly passed by. Breezing through my hair in a gentle and refreshing way.

I looked ahead to see where it was coming from.

Aeron was striding to where Nora was while Stray just stood there in place. He just glanced at me over his shoulder, nonchalantly.

A man in cloak lightly shoves me from behind, ”Keep moving” he demanded. I sighed and followed.

I focused my eyes ahead and realized they were all beginning to climb down the quarry or 'pit' as they call it.

I dragged my feet across as another sigh leaves from my mouth.

Soon we all stood below the pit as several men in cloak circled the parameters above.

There were scattered blunt swords and bones of— I don't even know what kind of bones these are, but there were lots of scattered things around the area. In a corner I saw a bush with plump round berries.

I figured those maybe the berries they were referring to before.

”Aeron, show me what you can do!” stated Stray as he morphed his right arm into a blade. He side glanced me and spoke ”You— just build your stamina and grip. Nora I'll leave that to you.”

Feels like he doesn't even plan to train me to fight.

I sighed in dismay.

Nora nods in reply and then takes my hand gently and beams at me. ”Follow me please!” she sung as she gently drags me along towards a corner.

”We'll start with this” she pointed up.

I blankly stared at the rocky wall before us that stood about ten feet high from the ground.

”Try climbing the top. Don't worry about falling, I'll be right here to catch you”

I turned to the wall before me and cringed.

I'm never a sporty type, even in my past life.

I never tried wall climbing before.

”You climbed it before too?” I asked her just to stall.

She nodded with a grin.

”Watch!”

She pushes her cloak aside.

She then began to climb the rocky wall one step at a time as if she's climbing a simple ladder.

I watch in amazement as she makes progress using her only one arm.

And then when she was already half way on top, she suddenly squatted her feet to the wall and kicked herself off in one great thrust.

She spins over head and manage the grab the edge of the top and then pulls herself up in one spin as her feet hovers up in midair before landing gracefully to the top of the ten foot wall.

I clapped. ”Amazing!!!”

”Now you try” she hollers at me.

I shook my head. ”I can't do that!?”

She leaps down and lands on her feet, beside me, like a cat. ”You don't have to do exactly what I did. Just climb it. I'm here for you, don't worry”

I just nodded wearily.

I walked to the feet of the wall and gazed at the edge on top.

I looked at my still trembling and aching hands.

And then glanced to where Aeron was.

He held a small blunt sword.

Stray went on attacking him as they clash and parry.

He's really trying his best.

I need to do my best too!

I can't hesitate now—

I grabbed a steep area from the wall and began to push myself up while groping a solid leverage under my feet.

”Balance your body as you go up. If your body is too far from the wall the point of balance might tip you off to fall easier” stated Nora as I took another step and went on climbing myself up.

The next rock I grabbed suddenly collapsed even before I could have settled my foot down so I slipped and fell back to the ground.

Nora who broke my fall helped me to stand back up. ”Can you do it again?”

I nodded.

”Good girl!” She pats my head and smiled.

I went and did it again and again.

Perhaps more than three times already but the result was the same.

I weren't even able to climb a feet higher than my own height.

I sighed in dismay as I sat on down the ground while gasping for air. I looked at my all bruised hands and realized blood had clotted under my nails. It's all throbbing painfully.

I can feel my heart racing wildly against my chest, ringing my ears like it never had before. ”How...” I asked, catching my breath, ”how did you learn to do this?—”

Nora squats down beside me and softly pressed her hand on my forehead to wipe my sweat off. ”Perhaps a goal will be of help?”

”A goal?” I asked.

She nods as she began to look around as if searching for something.

”Isn't climbing the top already a goal?” I asked as I stretched my feet out.

”That's the objective. It's far different when you have a goal that you would want to achieve and inspires you to reach the objective and even beyond!” She replied.

Oh.

A goal huh?

I studied the top and followed the outlines of the wall while in goes higher as it stretches further to the sides of the pit.

My eye catches one beautiful flower dancing on the breeze that grew exactly on the rocky walls.

”How about that one?” I pointed at the flower.

It was situated in a much vertical extent.

”Good idea,” she shows me a thumbs up. And reaches a hand to me as I stood up and we walked to the bottom of the wall where the flower was.

”It's perfect actually! Desert flowers are rare. Perhaps if you are able to reach it, it can serve as a charm.

A charm? I thought. As my eyes automatically looked down my ankle where the 'Sky of Dawn' braids was tied.

I already have a charm.

I glanced at Aeron as they went on with their sword fight.

But he doesn't have one yet...

”I can do this!” I braced myself.

I'll get it for my brother.

Nora cheered back as well as I went on and began climbing the walls again.

I took a deep breath as I let my tired knees collapse on the ground.

It was already sunset.

”Don't worry, you can try again next time! Don't push yourself too hard!” says Nora as I just nodded.

I checked my hands again. It wasn't trembling anymore and the pain was more tolerable now.

I looked up at the sky as the wind blew calmly pass me. The colors of it weren't really different from what I always see in Greenrun. It was still a blush of pink and orange as the clouds scatters in a pattern as if crowning the setting sun that glows like a ball of light over the flat horizon.

I really have no idea where I am right now, am I still inside the same continent or in another?

But no matter, I'm still under the same sky. The same life. The same fate that mandates me to brew into a sinister twist later on in life.

Whatever happens in this land. I know I will still eventually meet the priestess and Aeron will too.

But I wonder what will happens to us in here?

”You did great today, Aerra. I'm sure you can climb it up soon” Nora stoops down and covers my view of the sky. She grins at me sweetly and then walked behind me and began to comb my hair. ”Amazing, your hair turns pink!”

”Only during sunset” I chuckled.

”Arcanians are really mystical huh?” She says as she began to braid my hair up.

”I had a sister around your age. We arrived here together. She was also a pure blood just like us”

All past tense, I noted.

I didn't reply anything.

”Can you hold this for me?”

She then stood up and reached for a thin stick and began to carve it with a dagger she took out from her back.

”You two could've been great friends.” she says almost inaudible as she used the stick to pin the braids in place.

”There! All done!” she sung happily.

”For six years— surely you had tried of escaping?” I murmured, hesitating if it was alright to ask. My eyes scouts the men in cloak above that hordes in one area, talking amongst themselves.

Nora sat beside me and shook her head. ”I haven't but Stray had...” she replied as her eyes watches him. I followed her eyes and looked at Stray who was seriously training Aeron in a distance. ”And he paid the price.”

She sat back down beside me.

”Cerguz has the gift of sight like I mentioned before. Even if he's not around, he can sense movements as long as they are around his domain.” she explained as she pulled her knees close to her chest and folds her arms around it. ”Right now Ouboros is his territory. Up until here in the pits, he can still sense our movements for sure. But what is the most terrifying thing he can do is that he can paralyze anyone in his territory. Not just movements but breathing too. That's why plotting to escape is impossible. He can simply paralyze you and it's over even before you could step out of their base. And he doesn't need to see you to paralyze you. He just needs to sense you.”

”So that means he's from a noble blood then”

Nora nods. ”I guess not all noble bloods are wealthy. Some ends up in a poor house with only just a name.”

I remembered the man who released the black shackles that bound us before. Perhaps he's a noble blood too— that means some of the people in the Ouboros has their own powers.

”And I can't risk the safety of the children... I can't bare to watch them all get killed. Not this time... Not ever.”

I felt my grip tightens as I fisted my hands.

'Not this time' ?

”As long as we are in his terrain, Aerra, we are all under his watch.”

”But can he hear us?”