Chapter Three: Solitude

Now that she is alone Antonia must face herself. She must try and work through the pain.

 

Four Years Later…

     In the Fields of Blood, two statue memorials standing tall, glistened in the mid-day sun as a young woman stood, blue-purple eyes gazing up at their stone faces. The first was a woman rider, sword held high in triumph, hair sculpted as if blowing in the wind. Behind her stood a dragon, wings spread wide. On the two layer round pedestal, words were carved on a sheet of gold saying ‘To the selfless Riders and Dragons who bravely gave their lives for Athea; You will be remembered and missed.’
     The second was of a woman in Athean armor, her long hair sculpted around her. Behind her stood an older man, also in Athean Armor, his hand resting on her shoulder, his ponytail flat against his back. Together they stared sadly upon the world. Standing on the layered round pedestal, the statue stood about seven feet, matching the other. Just like the first words were carved onto a gold sheet saying ‘To the Atheans who, in their grace and might, sacrificed themselves to protect Narsayes; May their light eternally shine upon us.’
     These were sculpted by the Elves, Dwarves, and Aquarians who placed it where the battle had taken place. Many came to look upon the faces and cried for them. Like Antonia as she stared up at the faces of her mother and Irresto. As she looked into their sad eyes, she asked forgiveness every day.
     A little way from the statues laid a marble plaque with words carved into it saying ‘Antoin Van’Dragon; beloved mother; may her light shine always.’ Antonia made sure there was always a bouquet of flowers on this stone, for her mother. As she tended the field and the memorials, she hid from the Elven, Dwarven. Aquarian and Rider search parties that came looking for any survivors, in shame. In her mind she didn’t deserve to live with them in happiness and peace. She deserved to live on this field until her grateful end.
     When people came upon the memorials they would leave flowers and gems in remembrance of the fallen. Few, who sensed her presence, left her blankets and things to show they cared. These small acts of kindness warmed Antonia’s heart and showed her that they wished they had been able to help.
     If not for one person, Antonia would have become overwhelmed with grief and pain; with out help from Destiny she never would have survived.
     Destiny created a bond with another who would enter her mind, comforting her broken soul. The voice claimed to be a young man, about her age named Anton Van’Bratta. He lived in Namen, Nacara with his mother as he trained to be a warrior. In her dreams she was able to see him, his brown hair and bright golden eyes shinning like stars. At first she didn’t trust him, after all he shared the same name as her father, but in time, they grew closer and it seemed that Anton would be the only person who could help her recover. With his help she slowly started to regain some of her lost hope.
     Many Times over the last four years that they have known each other, Anton had asked Antonia to come live with him, but she refused. She’d never admit it, but she felt immense shame of her past and she didn’t feel like she deserved to live among people once again. She lived on that field because she felt that is what she deserved.

     The rising sun set its gaze upon the stone faces of Antoin and Irresto as Antonia gazed into their eyes, questioning herself once again. I can’t live with him; I don’t deserve to be happy…Right? Please, tell me I’m doing the right thing by staying here. She cried to them. Of course I am. After all I got my entire people killed. My fate, my punishment is to be alone. I can’t live among them as if nothing has happened. I can’t go there and pretend that they didn’t betray me. I just can’t…
     Rustling in the forest behind her, stopped Antonia. Quickly turning she drew her scimitars and faced the foe she knew stood behind her. Antonia’s eyes widened as she faced a large group of Unichs. Each one drew a knife toward her, grinning as they showed their sharp yellow teeth.
     “We’ve come for your life.” The one in front growled. “Every Athean was to die, being the last, it is now your turn.” The group jumped forward, slashing their weapons in the air, trying to hit her.
     With fluid movements, Antonia twisted and turned as she dodged and blocked the knives, but there was just too many. As she twisted away from one knife another found her back and a pair of scaly hands grabbed her, keeping her still. As more grabbed her, Antonia found herself helpless. She couldn’t fight them as the slashed her with knives and hit her with their large fists.  It seemed like a life time to her as they beat her mercilessly. Once she couldn’t take anymore, they let her go, throwing her toward the ground as they laughed.
     “Come on, she won’t live, let’s go.” One laughed as he led the group away from the memorials and the dying Antonia.
     Almost immediately Antonia felt Anton enter her mind. What happened? Her asked, horrified. Who hurt you?
     It’s nothing Anton, I’m fine.
     You can’t lie to me; I feel your pain… I feel you dying. Now tell me who did this to you. Anton demanded.
     A group of Unichs…they attacked me. I was helpless to defend myself against so many.
     That settles it, you are coming to me or I am going to get you. Anton replied forcefully. You no longer have a choice in the matter. You will get treatment.
     It doesn’t matter.
     Yes it does. Anton cried. I can’t live without you.
     I’m not important. Antonia replied slowly.
     Yes you are. You give my life meaning…without you I’d be lost. Now get up on your horse and come to me, or I’ll drag you here. Seeing no other option Antonia called Midnight and, after pulling herself into the saddle, started out to Namen.
    
     The road was long and tiring; with each passing moment her strength dwindled, leaving nothing but a broken soul.
     Just as she had said those years ago Darshen-Qui Malla had no opposition after Athea. The countries fell one by one with the Council of Nations unable to do anything. The consequences of their selfish acts were evident wherever she went. Manoin Patrols traveled the roads, harassing those who dared to walk it. Wagons full of goods were taken and destroyed; poor travelers were robbed and killed mercilessly. She felt sorry from them as she rode past, but back in her mind she couldn’t help but think they had brought this on themselves. They refused to help, causing the unending destruction; they caused all the pain and suffering.
     With a cry of pain, Antonia leant forward in the saddle, clutching her wounds in tears. She’d stop to rest and water the horse but she knew that if she left that saddle then she would die.
     For days on end she rode through the pain, through the torment around her just trying to make it through the day. It was hard work but with Anton’s face clear in her mind, she had no will to stop. She couldn’t disappoint him. As a stroke of luck she wasn’t attacked by the patrols. She was able to ride on the rode for others were attacked before her. There was no reason to harm a woman on a black horse.
     It took about a week to cross through Nacara where her hopes soared for a moment. There were fewer patrols and the people seemed happy; but then she saw it for what it was… false hope. Nacara hadn’t completely fallen yet so few patrols made it that deep into the country. She knew though, that it was only a matter of time before they to, fell and joined the others in darkness. It was only a matter of time…

 

     Traveling through Nacara was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I was constantly tormented by waves of pain that threatened to kill me. I don’t know what gave me the strength to push onward, what caused me to hold steady when it would have been so much easier to stop and die. Perhaps it was Anton, keeping me going with hope or perhaps it was Mother Nature giving me that extra spiritual boost, but I made it.
     I pushed myself day after day, just trying to make it. I was forced to witness the terrible acts of the Manoins less and the Nacaran people more. I saw a side to them that I didn’t know existed before. They helped and protected each other, even if they were meeting for the first time. Oh what memories came in result to their kindness.
     I remember, once I was hiding from and old man, who knew I was there. He talked to me, telling me stories of his life and the effect my people had on the world.  He never pushed me to reveal myself or even talk to him but…
     Every day he honored the memorial and her even cried for them. ‘I wish I could have helped you,’ he’d say. Eventually he did leave but his pureness of heart will always stay with me. He was like Anton.

 

     The road seemed unending as Antonia’s energy started to deplete. Once she even considered getting off Midnight and dying on the side of the road. Fortunately, she saw a city in the distance. Namen! She cried. I finally made it.
     Urging Midnight faster Antonia almost smiled. She had finally made it to Namen, to Anton. Making it to the gate, Antonia approached the guards. “I’m looking for Anton Van’Bratta.” She replied as she straightened her back.
     “Yeah he told me you would come, but I was told you were injured.”
     “I received treatment,” She lied. “I’m fine.”
      “If you insist.” The guard sighed “Follow me; I’ll take you to him.” With a short turn he started off, leading Antonia through a crowed of people. “He should be at his coming of age ceremony in the great hall. I will take you there.”
     As she followed the guard, leading Midnight on foot, Antonia glanced around. Shops of every shape and size laid everywhere. There seemed to be a strange order to the way that it had been built, if any, but Antonia knew that this was just the way the Nacarans lived, out of order. Before she knew it, the guard turned to Antonia. “This is it, the great hall. You will find Anton inside.” With that he left, leaving Antonia in front of a building that was tall and made of wood. Finally, Antonia gathered her courage and started to open the doors and stepped into a room full of people
     Unfortunately, Antonia had used up all her strength to get there, for she couldn’t stay awake and before she knew it, she collapsed through the door and started to lose conciseness. She heard voices and saw blurred faces but she couldn’t make them out, and soon, she fell asleep, oblivious to all around her. The last thing Antonia could remember was a call of her name.

 

     “SHE LIVES?” The Shadow Lord bellowed. “How in the world did she survive? Never mind… send a Mannok to obtain her, we’ll finish it this time.”
     “Yes my lord.” The servant replied in a low bow.
     “Go, and send word to his highness, we may have a problem.”

 

 

Author's Note

Like before please try to ignore any grammer mistakes i am working on it. Tell me your thoughts on teh piece. Did it flow well? Are the characters believable and real? And should I have doen something diffrently or is it good enough?