SHATTERED SOUL

When she came back to her senses she realized that person was on top of her.

She was out of energy and there was no way she could battle this demon. Maybe, this time it's her end. Instead of fighting back, she rested her hand on the ground, gripping the dust beneath in her hand. Waiting for demise to greet her but what she felt next was a cold hand in this hot weather.

That hand was touching her right cheek. Her green hues aimlessly tried to have a look at his face since he was pretty close, and she realized he was wearing a mask like her. The person was extremely quiet and he was caressing her with an odd affection.

Is he a deviant?

Her eyes narrowed and the next thing she did was to throw the dust in her hands in his eyes. A grunt left his lips and he abruptly shifted away from her. With that single loss of grip, she exempted herself and flew away like a lightning knowing well that she can't fight him and he was in no spirit to slaughter her but to have her.

What kind of a demon it is?

She ran and ran, bumping into things and hurting her knees and feet before she finally slowed down. Inclining against a particular wall she catches her whiff as she rubbed her knees and feet along with her back which was pulsing in pain.

Staying there for a while she started to stroll and after god knows how long she eventually found her cabin. Being blind is not a comfortable task. She ambled into the cabin and closed it behind. Her hands unconsciously roam on the table next to the door, she was trying to find a matchbox until she finally had a hold of it. Walking further in she blew the matchstick and brought it near the candles. Her green orbs blankly stared at the hazy small ball of fire that was enough to enlighten her small cabin. She brought the matchstick under the lamp and lit it as well. Before shaking her hand and throwing the matchstick into the corner. With a heavy sigh, she walked towards her single bed which was dipped from the inside because it was broken.

She took off her upper robe and put it on the bed before pivoting towards the small mirror hanging on the wall beside the bed. She can slightly see herself.

With another heavy sigh, she took off her bamboo hat and hung it beside the mirror. Her hands move towards her hair bun and just as she takes out her hairpin her hair falls on her shoulders like a river.

Her eyes saddening as she felt her throat on fire. Whenever she sees her hair...she is forced to remember her past. That's why she no longer opens them and she doesn't like to reveal them to anyone either. That's why she wears a bamboo hat. She felt tears stinging the back of her eyes as she gripped a specific strand of her hair with her shaking hand.

It was a silver strand of hair.

Her hair is now half silver and half black. Some of her strands are black like before while some have turned silver. This is the thing she feared the most. Half of her spiritual core has been destroyed. She is no longer as powerful as before.

She is nothing compared to what she was before.

Her dream of being in the top ten martial artists remained a dream forever. Someone like her with such a heinous past can no longer afford to go high. She is no longer Megara Daybrace. She is just a blind and weak woman with no one to look after her.

She wished she died that day.

But deep down...something is telling her...that this is not the right time to die.

Nevertheless, she is vacant within.

This world and these people have wronged her. No matter how much she ceases herself from helping others she can't just let anyone perish before her then why didn't anyone think the same when she was dying?

When Master Shin was being killed brutally.

Why does no one think the same as she does? Why wasn't he penalized the same way as she was? In people's eyes both were after stones, both wanted to unleash the demon then why is he still standing so high and WHY IS SHE SO LOW?

Whenever she thinks about the past the fire burns her...the fire of revenge is strong but she knows revenge cannot be taken by someone as weak as her.

She has given up but sometimes she thrives to crawl up again and slaughter all those who wronged her.

Butcher every single one with no mercy.

But it's alright...if she is not able to then karma will. God will.

She stepped back and moved towards the bed, throwing herself on it as she stared at the wooden roof. Gazing at it for a while she slowly drifted off to sleep.

That demon was still here. She must check on...Neel.

*******

Megara entered the Manor. The sun rays were caressing her face, and with a frowned gaze she glided her eyes here and there until she heard an old woman standing nearby telling her something.

"What? Are you also here to have a glimpse at that handsome nephew of Sina just like other little maidens?" The old woman asked, teasingly nudging Megara's arm.

Megara shook her head.

"I'm a twenty-eight-year-old woman. Don't compare me with those silly little maidens and I'm blind." Megara declared and the granny slapped her back to make the awkwardness go away.

"Yes, Yes, I was just teasing," Granny said and Megara stayed quiet with a blank face. "Sina is in her room." The granny said and Megara nodded before walking away from her. With her bamboo stick in front of her, she slowly walked inside the manor only for something to cling to her leg.

She almost stumbled back due to the force.

A familiar scent invaded her nostrils. Her eyes softened as she drew her hand inside soft silky hair. "Neel?" She asked and felt the boy nod.

What a weird combination.

She can't see and he can't talk but he is still so close to her.

She caressed his head as he grabbed her hand and carefully guided her toward Sina's room. "Thank you, dear." She said once they halted in front of a room. She was glad that he was alright but she must know what happened to that demon from last night. Did Sina come against it or it just flew away somewhere?

She knocked on the door before entering.

"Ahhh Blossom? Come, come. What a surprise." She said and waited for Blossom to sit down on the buffer in front of her as she carefully observed the blind woman walking with the help of her bamboo stick.

Once she settled down.

"What would you like to have? Wine or tea?" She asked. "Nothing. I just had my tea." Megara said and Sina smiled, waiting for her to reveal the cause of her arrival.

"Last night. There was a demon in the village." Megara said and Sina quickly nodded. "Yes, Yes, that weird demonic bird? My nephew killed it but ever since he came back. He hasn't left his room or eaten anything." Sina asserted.

"Was there only a bird?" Megara asked and Sina nodded. "Why? Was there something else?" She asked and Megara quickly shook her head. There was a very strong man beside that demonic bird but she chose to not reveal it as her nephew already killed the bird.

"Is your nephew alright? He must be hurt and doesn't want to worry you?" Megara asked earning a chuckle from her.

"Nah, he is a powerful one," Sina said and Megara faintly nodded. "Is he a martial artist too? Where is he from?" Megara asked and Sina paused for a second before telling the truth and making up a lie.

"Yes, he is a martial artist. He is a master of the risen Blue-forsaken sect." Sina declared without any hint of uncertainty in her lie. People rarely like Linya.

Megara made an 'oh' face before getting off the track. Knowing that her nephew is a master in the blue-forsaken sect had her feeling down in no seconds. She should evade him as much as she can not like she will meet him anyway and he can't see her face because she's always in disguise.

"Megara?" Sina called her.

"Yes?"

"Can you give me a favor?" Sina asked.

Megara stayed silent for a few seconds. This was the first time Sina was asking about a favor. She wanted to hear her but at the same time reject her before even listening to her.

"Yes."

Nevertheless, she agreed.

"I'm going to Mountain Nagi. No one is here to take care of the house. My nephew told me he will live here a little longer but he is a little aggressive. I'm afraid he won't be able to handle anything here. Can you take care of this place while I'm gone?" She asked. Megara stayed silent. Hearing no answer from her she parted her lips again.

"Neel likes you very much and others as well. Please, I will buy all of your perfume and soaps." Sina said, looking at her intently.

Megara faintly smiled before raising her green orbs to have a hazy intake of Sina.

"It's not about buying my perfumes or soaps. I'm half blind, so instead of helping I will be a burden." She said sluggishly.

"Not at all, you're better than anyone with sight," Sina said and Megara licked her lips. It wasn't much she was asking for. It will cost her nothing. She will get to spend more time with Neel.

"Okay."

With this mere favor, everything will be altered. History will hunt the remembrances and the present will leave one yearning to die as well as frantic to live.