Chapter #5Sacrificing size? by: Arnsley   Deep within the hidden alleyways of Nevassa, the Dawn Brigade ran for their lives. Ever since Daein's occupation by Begnion, they had been on the run, and today was no different. A large unit, far outnumbering their entire company was in pursuit. Fortunately the people were on their side, buying them valuable time to escape. But as she ran, Micaiah felt a great sense of unease...
"Wait!"
Her vision becoming clearer, Micaiah stopped. She turned, to see a concerned Sothe behind her.
"Something terrible is about to happen!" She told him.
"What is it?" He asked, familiar with the premonitions Micaiah often experienced.
She took a moment, closing her eyes. When she did, she saw the devastating event that was about to become reality.
"..No! We have to go back!" She shouted, eyes jolting open. She ran past Sothe. He followed close behind, though he wanted to escape he couldn't leave Micaiah.
"What?! You're letting this rabble stop you?" the commander snarled at his men. Clad in orange armor, the Begnion soldiers had come to a halt, the townspeople blocking their way. They didn't want to harm the civilians, though their commander had other ideas.
"Ready your bows!" He shouted to the archers. "Nobody defies the will of Begnion."
At his command, the archers loosed arrows into the crowd. The Daeins scattered, panicking as the soldiers attacked. Still unwilling to hurt the innocent, the archers aimed away from the people, only wanting to scare them away. But with so many arrows flying, it was only a matter of time before someone was hurt.
A young boy was trapped in the center of the crowd, people running in all directions around him. Surrounded, he had nowhere to run. Before he could escape, an arrow struck him in the chest. As he collapsed to the ground, the remaining citizens stopped, horrified. The archers ceased their volleys, ashamed of what they had done.
"No! How could you shoot a child?" An elderly woman shouted at the soldiers. "You vicious savages!"
A younger woman ran to the boy's side. "Someone! Someone, help him, quickly!" She cried. "Please... This child is dying!"
"Pay heed!" The commander shouted, strutting towards the fallen boy. "This is what happens when you meddle in Begnion affairs of state. Remember it well!"
"I didn't realize that the Begnion Empire's affairs of state included murdering children in the street!" A man argued.
"Don't point your fingers at us." The commander defended himself. "We're just doing our job. If you're upset, blame it on the Dawn Brigade! They made this happen!"
When Micaiah saw the still form of the boy on the ground, her worst fears were confirmed. She ran into the middle of the street, not caring about the soldiers amassed at the other end.
"It's the girl we're looking for!" The soldier shouted. "Call for reinforcements! Surround and arrest every last one of them!"
Micaiah moved closer, kneeling down by the side of the boy. Bringing her hands to her chest, a soft blue light shone from her body.
"What's happening?!" The confused commander yelled. "What does she think she's doing?! Hey you, step away from that child!"
She did not heed his words. Micaiah moved her hands to the prone body of the child, and closed her eyes, allowing the magic to flow into him. Before the eyes of the people, the boy's wound closed, and he slowly stood once more.
"It... it's a miracle!" An elderly man cheered. "We've seen a miracle today!"
"That was Sacrifice..." Another man added, realizing what he had just seen.
"That girl! She must be the silver-haired maiden!" a woman pointed out. "Only she possessed Sacrifice!"
The only known magic in Tellius that healed without the use of a staff, Sacrifice took its toll on its caster. Micaiah slumped to the ground.
Sothe darted forward, scooping up the sleeping form of Micaiah in his arms. Without hesitation, he carried Micaiah away, back towards the alley they had emerged from.
"Stop right there!" The commander shouted after him. "After them! We can't let them get away!"
Sothe didn't wait around. The townspeople were buying them more time, but the Begnion soldiers would not be far behind them. Escaping was going to be difficult, especially carrying Micaiah. He glanced down at her, the woman still motionless. She was light, but still slowing him down. Perhaps he would be better off taking cover in a nearby house and waiting until the streets were clear. He thought he could make it back to their base, but leading the military there would cause big problems. It was about time for them to abandon the place, anyway. He would have to choose his destination quickly. Even a single second of hesitation could cost both their lives...  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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