Martyr In Waiting

"Alright, we can stop here for now," Ahna said as she slowed to a stop near a rock ledge that was out of sight, and I trudged over.

I was panting, heaving, and covered in sweat, swearing to myself I would have revenge on C6 one day for this!

< Don't blame me for walking around with your mouth open like a fly trap! Plus, she is going easy on you and never used to wand on you once! I saw at least five times where you stopped and could have had some extra motivation!>

Damn you! Just wait until she finds out that you are a fake! Then we will see who laughs when you get in here!

I leaned against the rock and slid down, still trying to catch my breath after that ridiculous run. We had seen no one but had run like there was an army chasing us!

"In about a week, your body will start getting used to this kind of thing, and things won't be as hard for you. In a month, you will enjoy these runs, and it will be me trying to keep up," Ahna said as she sat down beside me.

"Listen, I am sorry for what I said about your god," I said, but Ahna shook her head.

"He is your god too, but he isn't the only one. I have heard that there is something else out there. Something like a god, but more… vast and can't be defined as one thing. I don't know if I believe in the Martyr, but a group worships her in almost every city. They don't bother people, but they also don't talk to anyone or accept new members," Ahna explained, and I nodded, knowing the people she was talking about.

There were people wearing deeply hooded robes, and they never showed their faces or talked to anyone, but they weren't rude or bad people. They were just never seen out in public talking with other people.

You seem to know a lot about her; why?

Why do you call you Matrix a she?

So what happened? Why are you here now and not out there working with her?

Poll eece? What is that, and how will it help?

"Talking with God again? Anything you want to share?" Ahna asked, startling me.

"Nope, I am good after last time. I will let you know if he decides to give you permission to order me around again," I joked, and Ahna giggled.

While the run had tired me out, I could feel it change my body, and I felt like I had gained a little bit from that simple run. Though, nothing about it should be considered simple.

Ahna had pushed me to chase her over rocks, through trees, into the water, and climbing through the dirt. Both of us were filthy, but I knew now that she would be able to clean both of us off when we got back.

"Now what?" I asked, and Ahna shrugged.

"We do it again, on the way back. And then you can practice your magic with me after we get cleaned up. I don't want you changing my spell around this time, though. Both of us are very dirty and are going to start smelling without it!" Ahna told me, and I groaned.

"I wish there was an easier way to do this," I complained, knowing that I was acting like a whining child, but something about Ahna made me feel more comfortable.

Usually, I wouldn't ever complain, and even though this is really hard, I had to do something similar every day. It was strange how being around a person could change you so fast without realizing it, but that was also dangerous.

I needed to keep my wits up and not let my guard down. I was the one that had told her she needed to be wary and pay attention to her surroundings, and yet I was the one getting wrapped up in these little machinations.

I gave my head a shake and then stood up, offering Ahna my hand. If I wanted to get anywhere in life, I was going to have to put in the work and focus on what was ahead of me.

Ahna took my hand and stood with a smile. These minor interactions made me try to remember what it was like before this, but those past feelings were getting farther and farther away after each one.

"Okay, I can do this! If you can do this, then I should be able to as well!" I said as I dusted myself off, and Ahna glared at me as she pulled out her wand.

"What is that supposed to mean? You think just cause I am a girl that you are going to beat me?! YOu better get running smarty pants!" Anha warned, and I took off laughing as she chased me.