YGNACIA ESCONDIDO SERIES 1: SYMLA, THE BLACK SAINT

"SAYAH! The village is burning!" Sylvia shouted and pointed out the village where they live. Sayah—her twin sister—immediately saw the big fire. She was so shocked, she lost her grip on the firewoods she was holding. She didn't bother to pick it up but instead, she hold Sylvia's hand tight and ran.

Both of them gasped for air when they finally reached the village where they grew together. Both of them were born in that village. The twins were eight years old. According to their parents, Sayah was a few minutes older than Sylvia. That's why Sayah treated Sylvia as her younger sister and took good care of her. Being the eldest, Sayah was protective. Just like that moment, Sayah place her on her back to protect her from any possible danger.

"Sayah, it's hot in here," Sylvia complained and wiped her sweaty forehead. Her sister didn't bother to answer. Sayah just stared at the village. She tried to look at what her sister was looking for. Sayah was taller than her that's why it was hard for her to see what's going on in the village.

"Shh…" Sayah refuses and she looks at her. Her forehead wrinkled when she noticed her trembling hands holding her.

"Sayah…"

"Someone attacked the village." She whispered and looked at her straightly in the eyes. She was paled. She looked scared but still determined. She swallowed. "Whatever happens, stay here. Wait for me." She said firmly and guided her at the back of the big old tree. She let her sit there.

"But Sayah—"

"I will look for mother. Listen to me." She said in full conviction. There's nothing Sylvia could do but nod. She knew Sayah. If her tone was full of conviction, she couldn't say no to her. She was starting to act like their father. "I'll be right back."

She nodded again and sit quietly. She glances around and she was starting to feel frightened. She's all alone. She could easily heard the howling, growling of wild animals and the shrieked of humans begging for their lives making her heart beats like crazy.

"Look for the black saint! She's within the area!"

Sylvia moved closer to the tree when she heard the loud and terrifying voice. The voice was rough and harsh, making her quivered. Oh, how she wished Sayah was there.

Her heart pounded like crazy when she heard footsteps. She held her breath and sweat. She could smell danger. She closed her eyes tightly. She thought in that way, whoever trying to catch her wouldn't see her…

"I saw the black saint, Diego! Come here! Now!"

Sylvia shivered when she heard another terrifying loud voice. Her heart stopped beating. She wait what will happen next until the footstep started walking away from her until it was gone. She almost fainted in relief. She silently prayed and thanked God she's safe now.

"S-Sayah!" she suddenly remembered her sister and stood. What happened made her worried. For a brief moment, she was torn between looking for Sayah and obeying her wishes. Every time she tried to make a move, she remembered her order.

She bites her nail and stared at the burning village. It was completely ruined. Those men riding in horsemen she didn't even know—were busy roaming around the village. They were holding torch. They used it to burn everything they saw.

What she saw made her worried even more. She couldn't stand it. She wanted to be with Sayah. She wanted to look for their parents too. Her concern and alarm was greater than her fear, those were the reason why she finally made up her mind.

Infiltrating the village wasn't easy. She hides every time she saw someone and move when they're gone. She did the same thing over and over until she finally infiltrate the village. It was getting dark and she was sweating a lot. Thanks to the burning village. But still, it didn't bother her. Those things wouldn't stop her from searching for her families. She needed them. She was too young to be an orphan.

Sylvia hide promptly in a water tank when a man in the horse came. The man has a burnt mark on the right face. Her heart beats wildly when the man stood near her. She almost died in fear when the man stared at the water tank. She prayed that the man won't stay there longer. But the man didn't dare move. As minutes pass by, her heart pounded so wildly. It was hard for her to breathe.

"My lord, we tied up the black saint."

Sylvia tried to peek. This time, she saw the man with burnt mark talking to a warrior. The man left his horse. It seems he forgot all about her and give his full attention to his warrior and the black saint.

She swallowed. She was afraid but that didn't stop her. She followed them until she saw the villagers. They were all kneeling, blindfolded and hands are tied. Fear was written on their faces. It was too intense. She could almost taste it.

Sylvia's tears automatically fell when she saw her parents were also there. Her father has a wound on his lips. Her mother was kneeling beside him crying in so much terror. She was so agitated. Though she was too young, it doesn't mean she didn't know what will happen next.

"Who is the black saint?" the man asked. His voice was rough and tough, giving her goosebumps.

Someone stood up and Sylvia was so shocked when she finally realized who it was: it's Sayah! She was surprised. She didn't have any idea why she was called 'Black Saint'. She didn't even know about that. Black Saint was not familiar to her either. For her, Sayah was just a simple daughter and kind sister. There's nothing wrong or special in her.

And what happened next shocked her. They beheaded Sayah using the man's scythe. The man with the burnt mark on his right face killed her sister. The man whose voice was rough and tough. He executed her kind sister. Her Sayah…

Sylvia screamed in terror.