Phantom Hunters | Saphir Casters Academy

23 | Trauma

XXIII | TRAUMA

    The bright white light faded, and Kael felt a sudden pang of pain in his chest. It wasn't like someone had hit him. No, it was a heartache Kael knew too well. A heartache of losing someone he loved the most.

    Kael bit back the sudden tears that sprang in his eyes.

    "What is this?" he asked, voice wavering, breaths uneven. "Why am I so...sad?"

     Echoes replied. Where was he? He could only see an expanse of whiteness around him. There was no colour. Even as he looked down at his body, he could see nothing but the stale, lifeless brightness.

    Then, as if he was in a dream, the white abyss filled with vibrance. A field of deep green grass swayed gently in the wind. But there was a melancholy that forbade the beautiful image to harbour any joy.

    In front of him, two thick rectangular stones stood erect on the ground, the chiseled edges so sharp, one could probably cut his hand just by brushing against it. A beaded bracelet rested on one and a sword stood upright on the ground in front of the other.

    The wave of sadness washed over Kael once more, and he knew — just knew — these were graves for people who were special.

    "Oi!" a distant feminine shout garnered Kael's attention. He swivelled around to see a woman with long grassy green hair tied into a high ponytail running to him. As she drew closer, he could see the woman's face filled with sorrow...and hope. For some reason, the latter made him feel worse.

    "I knew I'd find you here," she said when she reached him. "It's time. The emperor has offered us a place to honour our family's loyalty to him."

    She spoke in a language Kael was unfamiliar with, yet he could understand everything she said.

    "Come now. They are waiting. It's time to say goodbye."

    She had unshed tears in her eyes as she looked at the lonely gravestones. "Your father fought bravely. Let's go. You've had your time."

    As she walked away, the ache in Kael's chest grew. Then the desolate meadow faded away and morphed into a scene of chaos. Fire shot up into the sky, thick black smoke heavy in the air. Kael coughed and his eyes burned from the heat.

    He noticed a man on the ground in front of him. Blood trickled down his face and matted his dark hair. The firelight reflected off of him, casting wild shadows across his face. He glared at Kael, fight still evident in his eyes despite his broken body.

    "You think you can get away with this?" he spat at Kael. Kael could detect the heavy dialect distorting his words. For a moment, he marvelled at how well-versed he was in a language he'd never heard. "The Surutine Riot may be over, but there will be revolution. The emperor must die. You have become the emperor's dog. You are no better than he, and you deserve to die with your master. But...you are only a child. If you realise our cause and join us, you may be forgiven. All you have to do is lay down your life for us."

    Kael found himself speaking before he could stop himself. His voice was that of a child's, yet he spoke like a seasoned warrior. "Your men raided my village, pillaged my people's homes, robbed us of our happiness. You will only bring chaos to this country."

    The man laughed spitefully. "We saved you! This isn't over. Your village was only a small sacrifice for a greater good. You will understand when you are older. You will bow before a new emperor and a new age will begin!"