Young Writers Society

3

Nemesis

Azrael had a firm grip on Rae as he dragged her along the streets of Xenos. They were on their way to Rae's house since she had promised that the amulet would be there. The sun was already beginning to sink low and the air was getting colder, as if nature wanted to make something clear. Azrael had learned from his mentor to always listen to the voice of the earth. He pricked up his ears and listened attentively to the wind that caressed his hair, but was unable to make out any details. Azrael shook his head and glanced at the thief who was struggling to keep up. "Do you have a name?" asked Azrael to break the silence.

She stared at him with wide eyes and turned her head like a confused puppy. Azrael sighed and turned his head forward again.

"Rae" she muttered into the cold night that swallowed her words.

"What is a mage of the order Torvish doing so far south in Erdia? I would think mages would be more common in the North"

"And how did you come to that conclusion?" asked Azrael in a mocking tone.

"You always seem so emotionless and repulsive at the army parades. The cold climate and lonely plains of Dashia always seemed to be more suitable for you. Like lonely souls wandering around in the snow.

Azrael let out a shrill sound that had to pass as a laugh.

"I already thought you were a moron, but this confirms my suspicions."

Rae decided to keep her mouth shut since Mr. Magic found everything she said so ridiculous.

They silently turned the corner and left the city centre of Xenos and entered the slums. The road was roofed over by a wooden scaffold with cloths of different colours attached to it, which served as protection from the sun. The buildings had already had their best time, some looked like they were on the verge of collapse. In the middle of the road stood an old fountain, made of marble, of a water dragon that used to spray water in its glory, but now lay as dry as the deserts of the south.

The diamonds that had once served as its eyes had been stolen from it. "It is better if you put on your hood, the people here do not like intruders" Azrael turned his attention back to Rae who pointed to his silk cloak. He sighed and nodded. He wanted to do anything but attract attention with his exceptional appearance. The soft fabric of his cloak slipped through his fingers as he put on the hood.

"To where now?" questioned Azrael as he looked around quietly.

"Just follow me" Rae didn't wait for his answer and started walking further through the streets with quick steps. If she had learned anything in the slums, keep moving, already standing still you were an easy target for anyone. Azrael walked behind her at a trot.

"Is it far yet?" asked Azrael impatiently. "I have to be somewhere soon," mumbled Azrael, picking his nose at the increasingly harsh smell of excrement.

"If you need to leave so urgently just magic us into my house with your little magic hands." joked Rae as she waved her hands in the air. "Before she knew it, she felt the same electrical force from the market twisting around her neck like a snake. Tiny hooks dug deep into her skin, little jets of blood running down her neck. She gasped when Azrael strengthened his spell. Azrael was like a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment and would not hesitate to kill you.

"You seem to be forgetting your situation, don't you think? You were lucky I didn't kill you on the spot when I discovered you had stolen from me, but lucky for you Rae, I need my amulet." Rae pointed to her neck with the last of her strength in her arms. Slowly the edges of her field of vision coloured black. Azrael lowered his arm in one swift movement, breaking the spell. Rae sank to the ground gasping for breath, like a fish out of water. Her soft hands grasped her neck, where she felt the warm liquid smearing her palms. The black circles at the edge of her vision began to fade.

"You crazy bastard!" shouted Rae as she hit the ground with her fist. She took a big gasp as she felt a stabbing pain spread in her chest. "Try not to kill anyone for once if that's not too much to ask" Rae scolded.

"You're still alive," declared Azrael. Rae pierced her fingers into the ground to control her anger as she laughed her rage away. A creaking sound came from her knees as she laboriously straightened back up.

"I'm still alive yes, but you won't be if you-"

"Shut up" Azrael interrupted her. His cloak swayed with the wind as he turned quickly.

Rae saw his gaze glide over the street where she lived.

"What is it?" asked Rae. She felt hurt when he cut her off so abruptly. She was rather irritating, but not that bad.

"Is that your house?" Azrael looked at Rae over his shoulder. Rae nodded affirmatively. He couldn't arouse a sense of wonder in her since she already knew what he could do as a sorcerer. "Your mother I believe has visitors" Azrael paused for a moment "And not of the good kind"

Rae thought he was joking and laughed loudly. She almost got a stomach ache from laughing and wiped away a tear.

She looked at Azrael again and immediately stopped laughing. A serious look painted his face. He meant it.

"What do you mean?" asked Rae as she bit her lip out of nervousness.

"Demons."