CHAPTER 2

As the sun dipped below the horizon, she arrived home, hanging her sword beside the closed door before making her way to the inner room. She pushed open the door, and her gaze fell upon him, his back to her as he admired something intently. She stood behind him, her arms crossed, a silent observer. His head lifted slowly, as if sensing her presence.

"Dia," he called out, his voice low and gentle. She uncrossed her arms and approached him, a soft smile spreading across her face. His hand movements betrayed his attempt to conceal whatever had captivated his attention. He turned to face her, his expression neutral. "You're back already."

"Yes," she replied, settling onto the stool beside the window. "How are you?"

He sighed, throwing his hands up in a gesture of resignation. "Same old. How did your evening with Nolan go?"

A triumphant glint lit up her eyes. "I won. He lost. Finally."

Killian chuckled, a warm, gentle sound. "I knew the day would come when you'd finally win."

"I'm assuming you're going for the T'yakap?" he asked, his tone tinged with a hint of sadness.

"Yes," she replied, her eyes clouding over. "I plan on leaving in two days time"

Killian sat beside her on the nearby stool, his voice soft and persuasive. "You could always change your mind, Dia."

But she was resolute. "No. For years, I've waited for the day I'd finally get my revenge. I just need to find them, know where they are, who they are, and why they killed my family. Nothing can stop me now."

Determination etched her features, her eyes hard with anger and her fist clenched.

Killian sighed, rising to his feet. He walked towards the fireplace, the glowing embers crackling in the silence. "I knew this day would come. I thought that with time, you would overcome your pain and grief and move on. But I guess you've made your decision"

"That I have"

"Do you know what you're up against?"

"The men who killed my family" She replied in a duh tone.

"You're fighting The Red Hand"

She stared at him blankly.

He crossed his arms behind him, his foot tapping gently on the floor. "The Red Hand... they are the most vicious, most powerful group ever created. Led by their master, General Blaze, they wreak havoc, create chaos, and get away with it. No one can stop them. No one has ever succeeded."

Dia's eyes flashed with defiance. "Then I'll be the first."

Killian's voice rose in concern. "Child, you'll be killed off before you can even swing your sword."

She frowned at his words, but he continued, his tone unwavering. "Someone has to tell you the truth."

"You seem to know them well," Dia observed, her eyes narrowing. "You've encountered them, haven't you?"

Killian's expression turned somber. "Encountered? More than that, child. I lived with them, amongst them. I made their swords, all of their weapons. They marked me."

He drew down the neck of his shirt, revealing a red-inked tattoo of a sword on his shoulder. "I witnessed many deaths, the killing of innocents and guilty alike."

Dia's eyes widened in horror. "How did you leave?"

Killian's voice dropped to a whisper. "Leaving was not an option. The tattoo is a symbol of allegiance. Renouncing your membership means a death sentence. Once a member of the group dies, his eldest son takes over, and if they have no sons, as was the case with most of the men, then they recruit young boys, train them to become killing machines."

He paused, his eyes clouding over. "I escaped when I couldn't take it anymore. For years, I've stayed hidden, and this village has been my cover. Never have they crossed these parts."

Dia exhaled slowly, her mind racing with questions. "You said they are a group. How many are they?"

Killian's expression turned grim. "The Red Hand is a nineteen-man gang, led by General Blaze. Nineteen skilled warriors."

Dia's eyes hardened, her jaw clenched. "Well, so am I."

Killian's voice shook with emotion. "You'll never stand a chance against them."

Dia's eyes flashed with anger, but Killian continued, his tone rising with each sentence. "Please, Dia, bury old hatchets. I know how hard that can be. For eleven years, I watched you grow into this young, ambitious woman you are now. It would pain me to watch you risk your life fighting for revenge."

But Dia was resolute. "I don't care!" Tears clouded her vision. "I watched my family die right in front of me. I plan on killing and extinguishing every single one of them, for the pain they caused me."

Blinking back the tears, she walked out the door, slamming it shut behind her. But not before adding, "And for the record, I'd prefer using that hatchet to cut off their heads."

As the sun finally set, the village youths gathered in the town square. Dia joined the crowd, but her mind wandered. Instead of socializing, she slipped away to the tavern.

Inside, the atmosphere was lively, with patrons laughing and chatting over mugs of ale. Dia took a seat at the counter, where the barmaid, Della, greeted her with a scowl.

"What do you want?" Della asked gruffly.

Dia's response was laced with sarcasm. "I'm not sure. What's the special of the day?"

Della's expression darkened. "Ale. Three copper pieces."

Dia handed over the coins and took a sip of her drink, ignoring Della's lingering glare.

Just then, Della asked, "Do you know where Nolan is?"

Dia's response was dismissive. "Why don't you go look for him yourself?"

Della's expression turned bitter. "You're not even a good friend to him. I wonder what he sees in you."

Dia's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Maybe he likes that I don't fawn all over him like you do."

The tension between them was palpable until Dia stood up, downed the rest of her ale, and walked away.

As she exited the tavern, she overheard a conversation between two patrons. "The Red Hand are in Everia, they will be marching towards the capital soon," one of them said.

Dia's ears perked up. The Red Hand? In Everia?

Her eyes found the two patrons sitting far from her but she could hear their conversation like no one else was in the room.

"It takes a month to get to the capital mate, where'd you get that information from?"

"A reliable source. They are residing temporarily in Everia"

Just then, a hand touched her shoulder, making her jump. It was Nolan.

"You scared me," Dia said, her heart still racing.

Nolan looked concerned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

Dia's eyes locked onto his. "What are you doing here?"

But before Nolan could respond, Dia's mind was already racing with thoughts of the Red Hand and their ominous presence in Everia.