Krace Chambers

Krain's POV

"I'm sorry, Krain."

I stared at the ceiling as I let myself be drowned into deep thoughts, questions that I can’t answer.

Now that Nashin knew and confirmed that I am a Dauthinian, what will happen? Will he protect me?

But his district wishes to kill me.

I finally got out of Quintessence and safely arrived home. What’s next? The existence of the future depends on me, and so, what will I do?

‘It may became hard for you. Please survive, Krain.’

I closed my eyes, repeating mom’s word in my mind. Its fine to do nothing important. What matters is my safety. I must survive.

I got up and went out of my room. I opened Tera’s room and saw Aru, peacefully sleeping. I closed my eyes and searched for Nashin’s presence.

He is outside.

"Can't sleep?" I asked before sitting beside him. He is sitting in bench that is made of leaves, the same as the one that he made last time.

We silently looked up the night sky when he suddenly heads inside. He came back with a cup on each hand. He handed me one which I thanked silently.

"I know you don't like coffee so, I just brought you warm water."

I turned my back and touched the edge of the bench. The leaves moved and extended, making it look like a bed. I lied down there to see the stars clearly.

He already knows that I am a Dauthinian so he didn’t give a reaction when I controlled the leaves right in front of him.

He didn’t say anything so I look at him. He is just staring at the sky.

"Nashin," I called. "Do you hate me?" I asked. "For lying.. for deceiving you.. and for being a Dauthinian."

His expression remained blank as he looks at me. I smiled to myself and look back to the stars.

I am aware of the feud between Guerrerian and Dauthinian. The two strongest district who competes for the title of being the strongest in Epiliar. It was stated in the book that I borrowed from Ashinaida.

"I know that Guerrerians hate the existence of Dauthinian. You have your reasons for hating us, it is fine."

What’s not fine is the attack towards Dauthinian. They took lives just so they could call their selves the strongest in our continent.

"Don't you hate me?" He asked me back. "My people tried to kill you. And history shows that it is possible that my people are responsible in wiping out Dauthi decades ago."

We are on the same page. Maybe Dauthi exist to become Guerreier’s rival. Maybe, these two districts are meant to fight generations after generations.

"We maybe a Dauthinian and a Guerrerian but that doesn't mean we are enemies, does it?" I asked in a whisper. "It wasn't you who ruined my district, nor the one who tried to kill me. I have no reason to hate you."

Same for Ashinaida. She didn’t do anything. I don’t want to drag them just because they belonged to the same district. They were so good to me. Also, they have nothing to do with their ancestor’s mistake.

"I hate you at first when you gave me the idea of you, having the possibility of being a Dauthinian," he confessed. "My mom was killed by a Dauthinian and I hated anyone who has connection with Dauthi."

I was speechless. I didn't know that.

"If you only knew how much I wished that you are a real Gelarian or someone from any district but Dauthi."

"You must be disappointed."

He didn’t say anything. We just stared at the sky until we doze off to sleep. I just woke up to Aru’s voice.

"Krainarie."

She’s sitting in my pillow. That’s where I realized that I am in my room. The light from outside indicates that it is already morning.

"Nashin left," Aru informed me so I got up. A butterfly gently landed on my hand so I look at it. "He instructed me to not leave. He said he’ll inform Xhora about the situation and he’ll come back to bring us to Quintessence.

The butterfly fly and landed on my study table. I stood up to stare at it as it turns into sand. It moved and form letters.

'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KRAIN.'

It is my birthday?

I stayed in the house whole day. Aru told me that she’ll go around so I was left alone. But when the sun sets, I decided to look for her. I just wore a huge hoodie and pants before going out.

"Aru?!" I called. I used my ability to hear from distance but I can’t hear her voice. The sound of birds and insects dominated in my ears. "Aru! Aru, where are you?!"

She wouldn’t have gone that far, would she? Did she go to the river?

"Aru—"

My reflexes made me step back when the air felt abnormal. I gasps when a dagger made a cut in my thigh. I kneel in pain as I stare at the dagger. It landed on the tree and from there, a figure of a person showed up.

Despite the attack, I feel safe. As if I knew the person and that it won’t hurt me. Though it already attacked me.

I tried my best to get back on my feet and I successfully did. It disappeared from my vision and I felt a kick at the back of my knee. I was thrown near the river so I controlled the water to lessen the impact of my fall.

Speed. Is this person from Liht?

I hate how the cloak cover the face. I can’t identify if it is a he or she. But one thing for sure, this person is after me. Because he or she will have no reason to attack me if it doesn’t have the goal of hurting me, right?

"What are you doing here in Dauthi?"

I stood properly but the bleeding of my thigh became worst. I hold it covered it with ice to stop the blood.

"I should be the one asking you that," I answered. "What do you need here in Dauthi?"

Again, it disappeared. I closed my eyes and focused on the air around me. I opened my eyes when I felt the presence and I was greeted by the dagger so I moved away. I pulled its wrist and pulled it up to twist it but I saw a familiar bracelet hidden under the sleeves of the cloak.

The same white bracelet from mom.

I put down my hood and I felt the person flinched upon seeing my face but I didn’t point it out.

"Where did you get that bracelet?"

"Chimsy?" I heard him mumble. I scanned his cloak. It is a cloak of people from Quintessence. "Where did you get that bracelet? From Krain?" He asked, making me nervous.

He sounds familiar but I can't tell whose voice is it.

He appeared in front of me and grabbed my neck. His speed hindered me from reacting in real time.

"Did you kill Krain?" I shivered with his voice. I want to say something but he is choking me.

Is he going to kill me? Am I really his target? But why is he upset with the idea that I may have killed Krain, which is myself? Is he upset, thinking I died?

"L-le.. t.. let m.. me go," I demanded. I hold his hand and the wind blows, taking off the part of the cloak that covers his face. My eyes widened upon recognizing his face.

"E.. em.. ber.."

His grip tighten with the mention of his name. He can't be Ember, right? Ember is not a man. And Ember will never do this.

I can't use the air nor the water. I can’t use the element as I was busy catching my breath. But I could use lightning, though it will hurt big time.

Despite all the difficulties, I opened my eyes, together with the fall of lightning beside us so he was forced to let go of me. I was coughing in the ground as I confirm his face. I can’t be wrong. He is Ember. But.. he's a guy?

"Is this your secret? You killed Krain and claimed that you're her friend?"

"I.. I.." I never killed anyone. And I have no intention to do so.

When my breathing returned to normal, I stood up.

"So this is your secret?" I asked. "You are not a girl. So, who is Ember Whittle? Is she the owner of the bracelet that you are wearing?"

"You don't have to know," he said before charging towards me, holding his dagger. Having no choice, I also brought out my eskrima and run towards him.

I never thought this moment will happen. This idea never crossed my mind for I see Ember as my sibling since she came from Kauma. But upon knowing the truth..

When we are just a meter away from clashing, a barrier appeared between us. I looked around in confusion and saw Aru with her hands raised, catching her breath.

"Krainarie, Krace," she said. "You are the only Dauthinian left aside you’re your mothers so don’t hurt yourselves," she added before she fell down.

"Aru!"

I throw my eskrima and run to her as the barrier disappeared. "Aru! Aru, wake up," I said, shaking her but she’s not waking up. I put her in my palm instead.

The hand of the person beside me glowed. He kneel beside me and placed his palm above mine.

Aside from using air, he can also heal people.

"So you are a Dauthinian," I concluded. "What's your name?" I carefully asked.

He looked up at me. Now I know why I thought Ember is handsome, because he is actually a guy.

"Krace. Krace Chambers," he answered. "And you are Krain?" He asked back so I nodded.

"Krainarie Whittle."

He looked at Aru and sighed.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I received a message about the possibility of Krain being alive. I get the wrong idea upon seeing you here."

I shook my head. "It is my fault for deceiving everyone and making them believe that I died. I understand."

"First thing first, let's bring her somewhere," he said and I agreed. I lead the way home to bring Aru there.

I carefully placed Aru in the bed. Ember- Krace called me so I went to the living room and took the familiar book that he handed.

"It is Miss Xhora Chambers' diary," I said.

"It is my mother's diary."

So Miss Xhora has her son hidden. Like how my mom hid me and my sister. Maybe that is the only way to keep us safe.

"I intentionally leave this to Nashin's house," he said. "For him to know the truth."

Truth. "You mean.. everything that is written in the diary is true?"

He nodded. "I've met my mom yesterday and she showed me the envelope that someone left for her. It was from you, wasn’t it?"

"Yes. My mom told me to give it to her the moment I arrive in Quintessence but.. a lot of things happened."

He sits in the chair across mine and looked at me seriously. As if he has something to say that will shock the hell out of me.

"Did you open the envelope?"

I shake my head. "I never did." He looked down. "Did you?"

He answered me with a shrug.

"Did Miss Xhora saw it?"

"She did. But she said it is not the right time to use it. She only told me one thing." I stared at him, waiting for the next words.

I suddenly feel uneasy. Is it something serious? It seems like he is contemplating whether to tell me or not.

"Say it, Krace," I urged him.

"A drawing book was included there. A book that shows the future of Epiliar."

If that so, we need to see it. Why did I never thought of opening the envelope?

"Did you see what will happen in the future?"

He shakes his head. "Mom said no one should see it, not me. Not even you."

What are they hiding? Now, I am more curious about it.

"I can clearly hear your thoughts right now. Don't even think about it, Krain."

I look at him. "It was just a silly thought," I defended myself. "I don't go around and break rules."

"Yes, you do. You probably forgotten the fact that you left Quintessence without proper permission from the administration."

I admit to that one. But I did it for good.

‘It wasn't for good. You are merely escaping,’ he answered in my mind.

The downside of being Dauthinian. A fellow Dauthinian could hear your thoughts, especially if you let your emotional and mental guard down. Page 73 of the book 'Dauthi'.

"So tell me why you're here," I said, changing the topic.

"Mom told me about the envelope. She told me that it was from her best friend, Fenanie Rodrigo. She sent me here, hoping to find information about the possible whereabouts of Fenanie and her family. And I found you."

I nodded after hearing his side.

"What about Nashin? Do you know about the mission that your mom gave to him?"

His forehead creases. Wait, am I not allowed to ask about it?

"How did you know about him having a mission?"

Am I not supposed to be aware of it? "He was here when I arrived yesterday. He left earlier this morning because he said he’ll report everything to Miss Xhora."

He immediately stood up so I blinked thrice in confusion. He went to the room where Aru is sleeping so I followed him.

"What's up—"

"Bring everything you needed to bring. We're leaving right away," he ordered. He shake Aru gently.

"Aru, wake up. We have to leave. Aru."

She slowly opened her eyes. Krace helped her get up as she looks at us sleepily.

"Aru."

"Krace, Krainarie," she whispered. "Someone’s coming," she said and started panicking. "I saw them in my dream. They knew that you’re alive, Krainarie!"

"I knew it," Krace hissed. He put Aru in his shoulder and head out so I run pass him and went to my room.

I took our family picture and put it inside my bag. He entered my room and pointed at my things.

"We have to get rid of your things," he said. "For your safety."

My things have no sentimental value. I could always buy new things.

I nodded and hold my book that is in my study table. After a few seconds, smoke came from it. Then the fire spread to my other things.

"You don't have to burn everything —"

"It is better this way. They must see nothing that could lead to me or my family.”

We went out of the room and exited right away. We both halted at the same time, following the noise from a great distance. We exchanged looks.

We both have enhanced hearing.

"We don't have much time," I said. My hearing range is only around 5 miles. That means they are near.

"We'll take the river—"

"No," I disagreed to his suggestion. "We are going to the forest. We have to take a detour so they will not notice us."

The last time I was chased, I went to Lar river so they easily found me. It caused me the life of a friend. I nearly died that time so I won't make the same mistake. I still need to fight for Epiliar.

We took the woods that would lead to the corners of Dauthi. From there, we entered the boarders of Gelare through the cemetery but stopped halfway when we spotted some Guerrerian soldiers there.

"How did they know that we’ll take this way?"

"They must've someone from Heilsen who can see the future. Or they've blocked all the area and possible exits from Dauthi."

"Does that mean we can't go out of Dauthi?"

He didn’t give a reaction. He just look at the Guerrerian, probably making strategies in his head.

"Krainarie, Krace, hold my hand," Aru whispered so we both look at her. "They’ll feel our presence if we stay like this. I’ll hide our presence for the mean time."

We followed her instructions by putting a finger in her tiny hand. She glowed and I felt the air surrounding us. I look at her worriedly.

"Will you be alright, Aru? This will exhaust you—"

"I promised my loyalty to Dauthi and I am ready to risk my life, just to make sure that you are safe," she said between deep breaths. "This is the purpose of my existence."

‘Did you see her?’

My attention was back to the Guerrerians when I heard a familiar voice. My disappointment skyrocketed when I saw him.

So he also end up betraying me.. after I trusted him.

That must be why he said sorry in advance. Because he made me believe that I could trust him my life when he is actually putting my life in danger.

The Guerrerian soldiers bowed their heads and gave him a negative response. He looked at our direction so I held my breath. He can't see us, can he?

I look at Aru as her breathing became deeper and heavier. If this lasts longer, Aru’s life may be put in danger. She’s concealing Krace’s and my presence so I know it is hard for her, considering her size.

Aru won't make it. Please just leave so we could go somewhere safe.

For every second that passes, my worries grow. It only subsided when Krace pointed at the soldiers who are moving away from the border.

"We're safe, Aru," I whispered as I let go of her. She fall into her knees so I put her in my hand. "You did well, Aru. Thank you."

She smiled and closed her eyes.

Krace and I started to walk to Gelare. While walking, I can’t help but look at the road that the Guerrerian took. I sighed in disappointment upon remembering his presence earlier.

I guess he'll always see Dauthinians as his enemy.

…