Chapter 3: Going Back

"Gaia"

Slowly, Yuri open her eyes and asked Ezekiel.

"How does she looks like?"

Ezekiel paused and think for a minute while he crossed his hands in front of

her chest.

"Let's see. Petite with blond hair. and a cheerful one. Almost like a

kid. we can't really tell coz you know, we only see her from afar enough to

identify that she have pale skin. Sometime when she took off her rob I almost

thought she's translucent."

Ezekiel said and chuckle.

"at first we hesitate but you know, there is no way a kid could be a

general right? maybe she's just small."

Xander added feeling that he's being left out from the whole scenario.

Within Yuri's consciousness, there are some voices that starts talking out

of nowhere.

"oh-hoh. All of us thought she's gone but here she is, being the

general of some ignorant people."

"Well, She's always like that. Being eccentric and all. But since she's

young, she's more gullible. She'll do favors for anyone given a little

push."

"We don't know if it's really her. Don't jump into conclusion."

A gentle voice cut their banters and as they stopped talking, they heard

something that made them sure.

"We say she's eccentric coz she make up some silly language. Always

saying "ara.ara."

After saying that, Xander stood up and picked his sword.

"let's go and prepare Ezekiel. We don't have the whole day. We have to

come back right away."

Before he go, he look at Yuri and said.

"We are grateful to you but we can't risk to talk to someone that might

endanger us."

"-wai-t. Xander.!"

Ezekiel confused on staying or following Xander or staying for Yuri then he

resigned.

"I'm sorry lady Yuri. We are thankful to you but we can't stay any

longer. This area past the gate is unknown to us so are you. If you deny that

you are an Engel, we can't possibly determine who or what are you."

Ezekiel said as he wave and followed Xander.

"So what are our plans?"

Someone asked while Yuri turned her back flipping her robe and walk outside

towards the woods.

Ezekiel enter the room where Xander is and saw him already changed and

equipping his sword.

"We don't have time Ezekiel, we don't know where we are and we have to

get to the gate before nightfall."

"I feel bad for acting like that to our savior."

Xander brushed it aside and nonchalantly said "The good other shows

does not necessarily mean they are good people. Maybe they are just preparing

to use you some other time for their own benefit"

Without anything to say anymore, Ezekiel also started to change while Xander

look around the room.

"This room and this house is pretty neat considering it's outside the

walls. I thought all we would ever see are ruins due to rampaging

monsters."

"There is very little information we have past the gates. I was hoping

to ask more about this area but Xena would be waiting for us."

Afterwards, after picking up the sword and sporting it on his side, Xander

and Ezekiel left the room and went out.

A strong gust of wind welcome Xander outside the house and he can't help but

close his eyes and feel the breeze.

The house is located at the top of the hill and from there they can see the

gate of their town.

"So it's pretty close to the gate", Xander mentioned.

"Yeah. I forgot to tell you earlier because I don't want you to look

like an idiot saying we don't know where we are and we still have a long way to

go to find our way out... or In in some sort. I actually don't know anymore..

I'm having doubts..." Ezekiel trailed of his words choosing every little

details afraid someone might hear him.

Yuri appear out of nowhere surprising the two of them.

"I thought I should at least see you leave."

Xander glance at her but continue moving towards the woods while Ezekiel

waved at Yuri before running off after him. After they walked a few meters away

from the house and before finally reaching the woods, they both looked back but

Yuri are nowhere to be found anywhere anymore.

"You think she's a fairy?

"What fairy?"

"You know, the fiction characters that was mentioned on your grandpa's

books."

"Don't be silly. There are only Engels and Brawns and Fugeres in this

world. You'll be considered heretic if someone hear you Ezekiel."

They both walked briskly but vigilant looking around them for possible

Fugere encounters.

They continue walking and midway, they pass a spring and rest there for a

while.

"Don't you find it odd? this is a forest but we haven't encounter a

Fugere aside from that one we encounter before Ms. Yuri rescued us.'' said

Ezekiel while dipping his hands into the cold flow of water from the spring.

They decided to stop again near the stream to refresh themselves from their

exhausting journey. They did stop earlier to rest a bit and replenish their

strength with the fruits they saw around the way. They have been running for

quite some time already to reach the gate as soon as possible to avoid the

Fugeres.

While Ezekiel is by the river feeling the coldness of the water, Xander in

the side looking in the glistening waters due to the reflection of the sun

setting down.

Xander remain silent and Ezekiel wondered what is he thinking right now.

He knew Xander have a lot of outrageous tales from his grandpa's books but

facing a possibility of it being true right now, he can't believe he's being

silent all of a sudden.

''Hey Ezekiel,'' Xander called out.

''You think if grandpa is right all this time.... What would make our

government then?''

Ezekiel, a bit surprised out of Xander's melancholic retort don't know how

to react.

Xander suffered a lot during those times that because of the villagers who

call them all sorts of things for believing the fiction books his grandfather

left.

He can't blame them anyway, things we don't know scares us. There are only

few who are strong enough to defy that kind of norms and logic.

''ahahahha! Ehem'' Xander laughed pushing back any melancholic thoughts he

had.

''I think we should continue our journey back, we can't risk having Fugeres

chasing us. Thanks to someone being snub to our savior earlier, I bet no one

would help us anymoree....'' Ezekiel stating half as a-matter-of-factly and

half teasingly to Xander.

Xander did not hesitate to brush aside his friend's statement and instead

stood up.

''We should already continue our travel, the sun is already setting, it's is

hard for us when we have to look out for Fugeres or beast while we are

travel.''

Xander prepare to leave and pick up his sword the was previously on his side

when he was sitting.

In that short period of time that Ezekiel glanced at Xander, he saw a slight

glint on his companion's scabbard as if a jewel was shined by the sunlight.

He was not able to admire the beauty of his sword before when he created it due

to circumstances that it is prohibited for some reason and he can't take it

outside of the waterfalls.

It's exquisite glistening blade that is around a meter long made out of

carbon steel. The guard and the hilt is made out of the same material although

the hilt, almost a foot long, is covered by strip of red cotton cloth tied at

the bottom while the excess cloth are left hanging. The sword is sweated on its

steel scabbard that caught Ezekiels attention.

''Did you do something on the sword Xander?'' He inquired.

Xander not minding much of what Ezekiel said '' I cleaned it earlier when we

did our first stop over.

''It looked like something changed in the sword, like brand new.''

Ezekiel knew, something changed, although he can't pin point it directly, because

he owns the sword. He is the one who created it.

Thinking that it probably because Xander cleaned it earlier and it is

possible that he built it underground with no sufficient lighting, Ezekiel

shrugged it of and follow Xander when they started increasing their pace to

reach their destination faster.

''Your sword is the best it's just that I am weak, unworthy of such fine

weapon'' said Xander out of the blue while they were running.

''huh? ah, no'' Ezekiel responded.

He realized that what happened before must have shocked Xander in his core.

Well, a sword is a weapon, a source of power, thought Ezekiel. He knows that

power entails a sense of superiority. This must also be the reason why it is

prohibited inside the protected zones. Authority must solely be on the

government run by Engels.

He knew that probably, that time, Xander thought he could be undefeated.

When you grasp power you are not used to in the first time in forever, you'll

be drown in ecstacy and pride and when you are at the zenith enjoying all the

glory you created in your head, a sudden unexpected event will surely create an

impact and that is exactly what happened.

When Xander took his full swing and it gets past the Fugere without any

effect, he must have been devastated. Ezekiel in his half conscious state that

time also felt a sense of embarrassment. He is the creator of the sword after

all and a sword that can't slice anything is no weapon at all.

But Ezekiel is a very smart and reasonable person. He speak based on merits

and logic and not the type to easily be overcome by emotions.

''It is not your fault. It is our first time encountering a Fugere''

''Hell, we don't even know WHAT they are so it's possibly that some things

could not affect them. It just so happens that sword are one of them so don't

feel bad'' Ezekiel smiled at him as they almost saw the big gate.

They are still around less than half kilometers away but since the gate and

walls are so big for about 100 meters high, they can already see it.

They felt the excitement and their fatigue is already starting to build up

since they are nearing their goal.

''Don't worry, next time, I'll smack them with all my might with your sword

while having my full concentration. It might have some effect'' Xander said as

he mimic himself holding up a sword in his right side and swinging the sword to

her left and saw the horror he thought they would never saw again.

For that split second, he saw the Fugere attacking them in Ezekiels side

enough for him to grab Ezekiel and avoid the tackling creature.

Ezekiel, now in his full health can already react like a normal sane person

on that time. He's trembling and sweating profusely while they face this

monster.

Xander, being someone who have already had seen it twice in it's glory

recovered faster than Ezekiel, started thinking of ways to survive. They are a

good 90 meters away from the gate and he have several options. First, They

shout hoping that the silence of the night help them to make their voice reach

the gates to awaken the guards. However, this have two possible outcome which

is either bad or worse. They can shout and when the guards heard it by chance

and find them outside the walls, they can be severely punished. They have not

yet known what would be the punishment for being outside that safe zone because

as far as they know, being outside is already the punishment. This option is

more likely the better one because the second possibility is the guards not

hearing them at all and them being left on their own devices.

Another option is they fight this monster together. He can't probably do

something when he was alone fighting but he already have companion who can

fight this time, although trembling out of his wits. He decided that out of the

options, the first one is better so he made up his mind to shout and then fight

the Fugere along to at least let Ezekiel escape to the gate.

He already open his mouth to shout when his scared to death companion throw

a rock to that said monster.

''wow, a goddamn rock'' cursed Xander in his mind wanting to smack his

friends who knew that the sword did not work on this thing yet threw a rock

hoping it might work.

During that time that he contemplated weather to smack the friend or finish

his task of shouting on top of his lungs, he realized something is different on

this Fugere, unlike the previous one who attack anybody in sight. This one have

some bits of consciousness because he realized that the rock that Ezekiel threw

caught its attention following the direction of the said rock that landed with

a small thud behind the monster.

Now, the monster is facing behind it's back opposite of their direction and

then he realized, it might be sensitive to movements.

To verify his hypothesis he stood up and at that moment, the Fugere whipped

its head back facing them again confirming his suspicion.

Now, the only problem is how sensitive and how fast it can be.

Not willing to waste anymore time, he talked to Ezekiel without making much

movement.

"Ezekiel, I'll throw a rock at the opposite direction then run as fast

as you could forward while i run backwards. I will have to keep my eyes at it

and I will shout stop once it starts going on our direction and we will halt

immediately.''

Ezekiel, not wanting to stay there any longer slightly nod then Xander

proceed on surveying his immediate surrounding to find a rock and spot one near

his left foot.

'''Zekiel, I am about to pick up this rock near my foot and once I picked it

up, I will throw it as hard as I can so when it landed, be sure to run as fast

as you can.'' said Xander with his controled lips and breathing trying his

hardest to avoid unnecessary movement that will trigger the Fugere.

The Fugere, around 30 meters away from them, is still looking straight ahead

to them seemingly attentive on their every possible move. Xander, already

mustered the courage to execute their plan, picked up the rock and throw it as

far as he can to make the Fugere run backwards. On that split second that he

picked up the rock and throw it, the Fugere started to move towards them

running and already traveled half their distance. But when the rock make a thud

sound behind it, landing on the place where the Fugere previously is, it

started running towards with the rock and turn it's back to them, they waste no

time and run as fast as they can, Ezekiel facing the gate and Xander Facing the

Fugere.

Both of them are fast runners and have slightly above average physical

strength. They were able to run 50 meters for that 6 seconds until the monster

reach the rock he threw previously. When he saw that the monster are almost at

the position of the rock he shouted stop and Ezekiel halt.

They are both still catching their breath when they stopped, the Fugere also

make its stop in place where the rock landed. With the them facing the

monster's back, he took his time to analyze every details that happened. His

maximum throw measures around 30 meters and they can run 50 meters in 6 seconds

while the Fugere can run 60 meters in 6 seconds. Considering the scenario,

Xander figured that they would be needing to throw the rock for at  least

60 meters for them to cover 100 meter distance in 12 seconds. For them to

execute this plan, they will have to attract the its attention again and during

the 6 seconds interval of it covering this distance, they will have to throw

the rock with the enough time for it to go back before reaching them.

''Ezekiel, you'll have to throw the rock''

''What?!'' his panicking companion responded.

''Look, we only have 350 meter distance to travel to reach the gate, there

should probably be something on the gates that prevent theses beings to pass.

With your current position, you can build enough momentum to throw the rock at

a farther distance. Can you see something that you could throw near you?''

Xander said without looking away from the back of their predator.

Without any other reason to object aside from him being scared, Ezekiel

agreed and sighed. He look around himself without moving an inch but he can't

see any rock. By the minute, it became a dilemma for him and Xander who are

sensing the problem, he was about to speak but Xander beat him at the moment.

''Please allow us to use the scabbard!'' Xander blurted.

He knew that this sword probably took a whole deal of Ezekiel's time and

effort to make and he's proposition could probably hurt him but they have no

other choice. This path they are is a straight path towards the gate and he bet

for some reason, a lot of travels back and forth happened here. No stray rocks

in sight, he have no other choice but to propose the scabbard.

Ezekiel sensing the burden that his friends feels speak.

''Don't worry, at least we get to keep the sword'' he said as he smiled

preparing himself to get the scabbard in Xander's hips.

''Sorry, we are almost at the gate and I believe we can make it. We just

have to get past this struggle'' Xander said as he started to see a specks of

light from afar signaling that they are near the gate.

The sun have already set which is the perfect time for Xena to be at the

gate by now.

''I will unclipped this belt and remove the sword from the scabbard, during

that time, position yourself to build a momentum to throw this scabbard. I will

say when it's time to throw and release the scabbard.'' Xander explained.

After steeling themselves to face the monster, they began to execute their

plan. When Xander unclipped the scabbard in his hips, Ezekiel positioned

himself stepping his right foot forward and slightly twisting his torso

gathering the force to throw the object Xander is about to had him. On that

same time, the monster whipped it's body facing them and started running

towards them.

On that small time period, Xander managed to give Ezekiel the scabbard with

enough time to adjust his hold with it.

40 meters

30 meters

Xander counted in his head then

20 meters

''Throw it!'' he shouted.

Ezekiel gave his all in throwing the scabbard which get passed with the

running monsters toward then.

Ezekiel and Xander stopped moving waiting for the perfect moment moment.

10 meters..

5 meters..

The monster is continuously approaching them

3 meters..

at that millisecond when the monster is a feet away from them with him face

to face with that said monster,

Thud! They heard the sound of the scabbard that fell to the ground.

That same time, the monster did a 180 degree turn and run towards the place where

the scabbard fall giving them time to run.

''Now!'' He signaled Ezekiel and without any delay, they both run as fast as

they can.

40 meters

50 meters

The monster reach the place of the scabbard but with finding only the said

item, it did again a 180 turn and started running towards them. As Xander

watched the dark creatures while they are still running, a creeping reality

started to struck him but he still hold on to hope and let himself and his

friend continue to run.

70 meters

80 meters

''Stop!''

He and a confused Ezekiel stopped running with the Fugere only a feet away

from his face.

''What happened?'' Ezekiel asked.

The longer Xander did not answer, the instense his suspicion increase. He

think of possible ways that he have screwed.

Did the wind blew the scabbard? NO, he doesn't feel any wind right now.

Did he threw off track and made  monster picked it up faster than

expected or did his threw only cover a few meters? His nervousness grew as he

don't have any way to identify the cause since his back is facing the monster

and only Xander can answer these questions.

Cold sweat is running through his arms while he heard a word from Xander.

Not an answer but instead a command.

''Run!'' Shouted Xander again.

Ezekiel being in the dark, he don't have a choice but run. His thoughts

are probably that the scabbard possibly grazed it and hurt the dark being but how could it be possible? The sword did not even had an effect. Regardless, he run and tried to cover as much distance as he can but when he felt that no Xander was following him, he decided to turn around to see what happened. As he turn around, he don't know how he would react. He felt a mixture of hopelessness, panicked, pain and anger towards his friend that he have never felt in his entire life.

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