The night 2.

"Sahil?!" I called out, doubting my eyesight.

Sahil is a strong boy, and that was one of the main reasons I fell for him… he was very similar to a knight in shining armor, who had come to take the princess away from all troubles of the world.

"Take this," feeling something being placed into my palm, I looked down. It was a ring, a pretty one at that… if I remember correctly, I had seen Sahil handcrafting it. 

Whenever we were asked to pray to our ancestors; Titans. I always asked for Sahil to present it to me, but personally… not like this.

"I'm so-sorry… this is all I could do. I let you down, Avani. The same way I did to your dad," as tears rolled off her soaked face, she held my head, joining our foreheads.

"I pray, you find happiness, dear." As she said, I felt something transmitting into me.

"Don't be like that! I know I'm wrong… I should have asked you out earlier… I was just scared of being turned down," said a small voice, sounding depressed.

"I wish I could listen to you Avani… but fate has something different for both of us… I love you Avani! 

And though it hurts to say this… I hope you find happiness… and do look for a loving and caring guy. If not! I'll rise from the dead."

Hearing those words, I broke down in a fit of tears, renewing and leveling the ferocity at which I wept.

"Goodbye, I always wanted to do this, even though this is just a hologram, at least my real body can smile."

The hologram of Sahil moved toward me, slowly… I felt like rushing to it. Though I decided to stay put.

"Not like I can change the function, I created it in a way that anybody who opens this message receives a kiss at the end… so do accept this… from Sahil… your love."

His body was not physical, but I could still feel our lips connected emotionally. "I love you, Sahil."

Saying those words, I could only watch helplessly as the hologram disintegrated into thin air.

Opening my eyes, I could witness the sunrise from its sleep.

"You're leaving too?" I said, looking at my mom.

"Yes… I want you…"

"Forgive you?" I said, cutting her off. "It isn't your fault in any way."

"I love you Mom!" Giving her a tight hug. 

"Avani!"

"Just rest… I'll…" I planned on saying avenge. I knew well enough to not say such words to her.

"I'll live a happy life… build a new family… and give you a lot of grandchildren."

Saying this, our foreheads still joined together in an intimate manner

I could feel her life fading away.

"T-that's… I pray that our ancestors see you to that end."

Saying this, she closed her eyes, crossing to the other side.

Laying here down gently, I moved to Sahil, observing his serene expression.

"Why did this happen?" I asked softly, feeling a presence behind me.

"The hum…"

"Don't give me that bullshit!" I screamed, clenching my fist, blood dripping from my hand. "The reason?"

"For our possession," he said in a sober tone.

"The chief?"

"Dead!"

"How can he die so easily?"

The chief was not some small fry that could be killed in such a hilarious manner, no loud sounds to indicate a big battle, it…

"It was a planned attack," he said, moving to me. "There's a chance they will return. Leaving is the best choice."

"I can't! I have to…"

Cutting me off, was his Stern voice. "It's not a debate. I won't let you die for nothing."

Grandpa had always been benevolent with me, but his voice gave me the message; arguing won't take me anywhere.

"Their bodies?" I asked, willing to submit as long as they are given a fitting burial.

Picking up Sahil's body in a rough manner, he placed it on his shoulder. I was about to protest, but his expression warned me against that.

Moving to my mom aka his daughter, he rather picked her up gently in a princess carry.

I could only walk behind him as we headed for our ancestral burial ground, where we buried all members of our tribe.

"What of the others?" I asked, feeling guilty.

"It would give off our trail. Our assailant's main agenda is unknown, and affecting the scene on a larger scale can do a lot of harm. Just pray for their souls to be accepted."

I couldn't argue that fact, I played a lot of games related to a detective or hide and seek. Influencing the scene too much can lead to your early demise.

Though I still couldn't wash away the guilt… if I want to get revenge, then I'll need to learn brutality. From today onwards… I'll work on becoming an antihero… I'll only care about my justice.

___________

The middle ground of the cemetery was where we buried all prominent figures of our tribe, a place believed to have housed a Titan's body.

It always seemed too fictitious for me, but many scholars from within and outside our tribe have claimed it to be true… Now I believe; If it would help them rest in peace.

Their tombstone was well crafted by me using my earth technique… I know I'm not an expert, but since I did it from my heart… It's all good.

"We shall head out now!" He said, authoritatively, moving out of the graveyard.

"Bye, everyone… I'll make all of you proud, by accomplishing my goals."

It was just like the ending of a tragic story, except… mine was just starting.

_______

"Hah!"

"Hah!"

"Hah!"

Dressed in uniforms, we stood in a straight line, performing a series of stances.

We traveled from the Xadia empire to a small kingdom in the east. It was known as the Solid earth kingdom whose inhabitants prided themselves in the art of earth bending.

Which simply means, control of earthly elements.

Grandpa deemed it as the best place to hide and train, that's if our assailants are some powerhouse in the Xadia empire and aim to wipe out our entire bloodline. 

The solid earth kingdom was filled with individuals skilled at the art of using earth, some of who grandpa acknowledged with all his heart.

I'm not the only one learning… the man who I saw as perfect, always gets his ass handed to him by the monsters of this kingdom.

I really enjoyed staying here, until I found a purpose of my own.