Ginika’s stomach knotted as his blue eyes followed the woman. He couldn’t help the voice that yelled at him to run after her. She was his shield and protector. This man hated him and would kill him before she comes back.“Chose your weapon,” Balak said and pointed to the brown bag. He was trying to sound calm, but Ginika could see through that glamor, to that discomfort that burned somewhere on his face.There were different weapons carved out from woods in the bag. Slings, swords, ax, knife, bows and arrows, daggers, quarter spear, quarter rod and all. The brown wood made them look harmless, but Ginika has seen what these weapons could do to a living creature if fashioned into a metal.

“Do I look like I was joking?” Vera asked to no one in particular.“Okay, if you are that serious, then I will come with you,” Ginika offered. He knows he could be of help, and not just someone who would be a burden. What happened earlier with Balak was enough proof. Vera laughed at his words, “You are still a novice Gini, what harm could you possibly do to a demon?”“I will come with you,” Ginika’s stomach knotted. He hated the laughter. It reminded him of those times in the village when Dodo and Zahra would take the lead and let him tag along like a good dog.V

Thirty years it has been, yet the memory all seem anew. She was young and naïve and foolish too. Lewis was her first love. And only love.“It is not too late, Vera.” Balak replied softly. He could already feel that Vera was starting to return back to the past. The worst situation for a Watcher was to commit their greatest taboo, bear its seed, before giving it up so the emperor could keep you alive. Though he felt pity for Vera, he also was thankful that she was still alive just like him. “It is not too late?” Vera flared, eyes burning with anguish. “You think I like the fact that I grew fond of Ginika and would have to let him go just to save his life. Are you suggesting I keep him when I am to report back to the White Mountains?&rdq

Bottle clattered as Vera’s shaking hands searched her bag for another vial. She found it and tries to uncork it. That was when she felt a strong grip locking her neck and lifting her away from the ground.“Pathetic,” The man said, but Vera did not hear. Her lungs were already crying for air, and her throat was burning. She kicked and kicked, hoping to break free, but that in itself, was to no avail. This was the end for her. She was meant to die in the hands of a demon, after all. “Let her go,” Vera heard someone say. The voice was familiar, and she felt more fear going down her spine. ‘What was he doing here?’  She wanted to cry in al

“Untie the ropes,” Vera hissed through the clenched teeth. After that, she jumped into the boat. The vibrant tone seemed to have lost their composure. Her shoulder was sagging, and Ginika could see the sadness hanging on them like a cloak. He did as the woman have commanded, feeling the cold pebbles on his bare feet.He also had a very conflicting feeling regarding Balak’s sudden death. The old dude, even though Ginika did not like him at all, he still never wished for him to just die like that. The fight earlier also gave him the opportunity to really see the battlefield Watchers had to face all the time. Balak’s head was resting on Vera’s laps by the time Gink