Retribution of the Roar

Ryder was late--again. "Geez, that guy. We even adjusted the time for him. We're going to proceed if one more minute passes and he's still not here." Hearing their trainor's irritated voice, Raeya's eyes tore away from the horizon as Leison stood and brushed off his dusty clothes. She clenched her fists, not out of anger, but because she was feeling something heavy in her heart again. No, not this time, she scolded herself. A mission was not the time and place to cry. Raeya sucked in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. She had to keep her cool. She slipped on her black leather vest that she was delaying to wear because she wasn’t really ready. Feeling its weight over her maroon shirt, it helped her shift her focus to the mission. The frown on Leison's face made it obvious that he was tired of waiting. It brought out his wrinkles that were deepening with each mission that they received. Although being in your late forties was already considered pretty old in their line of b

At least Raeya’s attacks were cutting through. She thought the fight was in her favor since the Shadows were attacking in clusters. Whenever she fights them in groups, it was easier for her because she could wipe them all at once. It was her own way of conserving energy since unlike the others, she had no limitless stamina. Her own body was her weakness. Despite coming from a renowned warrior clan, Raeya was sickly from the day that she was born. She bled easily, got frequent allergies, couldn’t carry the normal weight of their clan’s sword until just recently, and was always at the last of the line during hiking or training. Still, all these didn’t stop her to become a full-fledged soldier of Aegis which she was proving to herself at the moment. After being hopeless in the last battle, she had this urge to redeem herself that she wasn’t wrong in choosing her path. For five or more minutes, it was going great. She felt like a whirlwind, twirling her bike as she decimated the Shadows

As what Raeya expected, Jin was always waiting. They were both standing on the white void, just like earlier when Raeya was about to be eaten. This power of his was something–a true gift of the Shore that only he possessed. There were others who could also open this dimension but that was all they could do. Jin was the only known one who could use it as a different solid space and include other people. "You okay now?" Jin asked. Raeya smiled slightly and nodded. To think that he still worried about her just as a true friend would after all these years, Raeya was feeling unworthy. He had been that way since they were kids. He was her original protector, assigned to her by tradition, the ancients, and the clan. She wasn’t sure how the selection process was, but one factor was because they were close in age. Jin was just a year older than her. His physique might have changed but his attitude never did. Until now, even in her sleep, he always found ways to communicate. Sweet. "Yeah, I

Their challenge brought them out to the front yard. "You look surprised," Seyin said in between his rugged breathing. "Were you underestimating me all these years?" It hurts to admit but yes. As far as Ryder knows, Seyin just loved to play. He would do tricks that would embarrass his opponent. He would tickle, strip clothes, put on really scary masks, threaten to spill out funny secrets and many others. But now with Ryder holding on to the fence for support, he couldn't believe that he was having a decent challenge with the same happy-go-lucky guy. His friend's weakness was hand to hand combat but the pain in his gut proved that Seyin was still training. Ryder straightened himself with a silent grunt and flexed his wrists. What would Fhae say to him if he was wincing over a little kick? "Yeah. You've never been this fired up." Ryder clenched his fists, adrenaline rushing in his veins. "But I hope you don't forget–my title is not just for show." Ryder ran towards him and let out

Raeya was able to catch Ryder at the last minute. He had just ignited the engine. When he sensed her, he got off the bike. The symbol of the Triad imprinted on the bike's steel glinted in bronze with the setting rays of the sun. He wouldn't even try to go home first to get his own bike. Why was he in such a hurry? Ryder turned to face her. "How clever of you to use the ghost of Fhae as a reason for you to go away. Why? Because we fought and you want some space? Again?" Raeya held his stare as he approached closer. His eyes stole the color of the sun and they glowed in a deep orange hue. The afternoon wind passed through the space between them and Ryder's light cloak ballooned, revealing his bonesteel knife and the small vials of bitter herb strapped on his belt. He was ready. "Raeya, you might not believe me right now but I'm really doing my best. And I'm sorry for everything. I won't deny that I'm running away. I'll try to clear my mind." Ryder was a very reliable man. People al