Chapter 3: The Grigonians

Holding their baskets tightly, Muye and Millan walked side by side as they returned from taking deliveries. Their way back home was smooth and calm but Muye was anxious unusually to Millan's concern. Her inner was telling her something was wrong but he was nonchalant about it.

"Cool it, Sister. It has been over month now; do you think they will ever return? We are safe now. Mom and Dad gave them a good beating last time. Remember?"

Muye sighed and turned away from her brother who seemed so care-free and inconsiderate to her insights and worries. She continued their way home but before they could cross the wooden bridge, the black-red clad men returned. Their trials to escape proved to be in vain. The couple reached in time to save the kids but this time they were still at a loss judging from their technique and physique.

When the men where vanished from their sight, the family ran home but they did not know that the attack on the kids was a decoy. It was a decoy to find out the house of the family and make better arrangements.

As the night claimed the earth with its darkness and cold breeze from the sea, the men came and started a fire on the bakery alluring in Arshey and Morden to stop it even though it could not. The fire was a work of magic and only magic could put it out.

However, to the dismay of the men, Arshey realized it and changed their course to fight the men but these ones were the first troupe, a lot stronger, faster and evil, they were no match for them. Arshey gestured to her husband that the battle was not theirs to win so they ran away to the house to save the kids but the fight was extremely hard for them.

"Millan, run! Run! Run for your lives!" Arshey screamed as the magic ball landed on her back. Morden turned to see his wife fall to the ground. He turned to pick her up but it was not possible. As he drew near and held her hand, a force pulled them up so high.

"We've done our part Love." He smiled at her. "I am proud of you. The best mom in the world." He squeezed her hand tighter and pulled her to him preceding the force that threw them over to the back of the mountain.

"I love you." They both said to themselves mid-air before they met their death at the back of the high mountain.

The kids witnessed the action and knew how dead they were even though they were breathing. The same way they held the couple, the same they used to carry the kids to the bay.

"My Master, Sire said we should eliminate the kid." One of the men told their commander.

"Who is the Witch of the two? What gender did Sire say?" The Master requested in a voice so horrific that the kids became even more scared.

"None of us is a witch. We have grown without knowing or practicing magic all our lives."

"How old are you?"

"I am fifteen." Millan spoke up.

"I am twelve." Muye also responded after hesitating for a while. She wanted not to answer but the faces alone of the men could not let her.

"Yes, my Master, it's the girl, her age matches the night struggle."

"No sir. She's mistaken. She has not yet even made eleven." Millan realized they did not have to say the right age. But it was too late. Realizing how late he was, he signaled her to run as he tries to escape.

His escape was not a success, he was caught faster than possible and beat up. Muye felt guilty so he tried to save him but she was pushed down and held onto the ground with use of magic. Unknowingly, her rage unleashed something within her. Like a tigress, she roared out releasing a power that hit every one at the bay. She stood up in one piece and with a look of a child who has just grown from childhood to warrior-hood in one night.

Whatever that happened to her was a mystery but one thing was clear that her mind was older and she was tougher.

"Millan! Millan!" she was turning impatient. "Goddamnit Millan! Wake up!" her scream woke him from his forced slumber. "Hurry up, we need to save the town it seems something is really wrong like I told you earlier."

Rushing to the town, the shreds welcomed them as giant rocky-fleshy creatures, The Grigonians, were destroying the town. Shock struck them like lightning.