Chapter Three: Solitude

Four Years Later…

In the Fields of Blood, two statue memorials standing tall, glistened in the mid-day sun as a young woman stood, blue-purple eyes gazing up at their stone faces. The first was a woman rider, sword held high in triumph, hair sculpted as if blowing in the wind. Behind her stood a dragon, wings spread wide. On the two layer round pedestal, words were carved on a sheet of gold saying ‘To the selfless Riders and Dragons who bravely gave their lives for Athea; You will be remembered and missed.’


The second was of a woman in Athean armor, her long hair sculpted around her. Behind her stood an older man, also in Athean Armor, his hand resting on her shoulder, his ponytail flat against his back. Together they stared sadly upon the world. Standing on the layered round pedestal, the statue stood about seven feet, matching the other one. Just like the fires words were carved onto a gold sheet saying ‘To the Atheans who, in their grace and might, sacrificed themselves to protect Narsayes; May their light eternally shine upon us.’


These were sculpted by the Elves, Dwarves, and Aquarians who placed it where the battle had taken place. Many came to look upon the faces and cried for them. Like Antonia as she stared up at the faces of her mother and Irresto. As she looked into their sad eyes, she asked forgiveness every day.


A little way from the statues laid a marble plaque with words carved into it saying ‘Antoin Van’Dragon; beloved mother; may her light shine always.’ Antonia made sure there was always a bouquet of flowers on this stone, from her mother. As she tended the field and the memorials, she hid from the Elven, Dwarven. Aquarian and Rider search parties that came looking for any survivors, in shame. In her mind she didn’t deserve to live with them in happiness and peace. She deserved to live on this field until her grateful end.


When people came upon the memorials they would leave flowers and gems in remembrance of the fallen. Few, who sensed her presence, left her blankets and things to show they cared. These small acts of kindness warmed Antonia’s heart and showed her that they wished they had been able to help.

If not for one person, Antonia would have become overwhelmed with grief and pain; with out help from Destiny she never would have survived.

Destiny created a bond with another who would enter her mind, comforting her broken soul. The voice claimed to be a young man, her age named Anton Van'Bratta. He lived in Namen, Nacara with his mother as he trained to be a warrior. In her dreams she was able to see him, his blonde hair and bright blue eyes shinning like stars. At first she didn't trust him, after all he shared the same name as her father, but in time, they grew closer and it seemed that Anton would be the only person who could help her recover. With his help she slowly started to regain some of her lost hope.

Many Times over the last four years that they have known each other, Anton had asked Antonia to come live with him, but she refused. She'd never admit it, but she felt immense shame of her past and she didn't feel like she deserved to live among people once again. She lived on that field because she felt that is what she deserved.



The rising sun set its gaze upon the stone faces of Antoin and Irresto as Antonia gazed into their eyes, questioning herself once again. I can't live with him; I don't deserve to be happy...Right? Please, tell me I'm doing the right thing by staying here. She cried to them. Of course I am. After all I got my entire people killed. My fate, my punishment is to be alone. I can't live among them as if nothing has happened. I can't go there and pretend that they didn't betray me. I just can't...

Rustling in the forest behind her, stopped Antonia. Quickly turning she drew her scimitars and faced the foe she knew stood behind her. Antonia's eyes widened as she faced a large group of Unichs. Each one drew a knife toward her, grinning as they showed their sharp yellow teeth.

"We've come for your life." The one in front growled. "Every Athean was to die, being the last, it is now your turn." The group jumped forward, slashing their weapons in the air, trying to hit her.

With fluid movements, Antonia twisted and turned as she dodged and blocked the knives, but there was just too many. As she twisted away from one knife another found her back and a pair of scaly hands grabbed her, keeping her still. As more grabbed her, Antonia found herself helpless. She couldn't fight them as the slashed her with knives and hit her with their large fists.  It seemed like a life time to her as they beat her mercilessly. Once she couldn't take anymore, they let her go, throwing her toward the ground as they laughed.

"Come on, she won't live, let's go." One laughed as he led the group away from the memorials and the dying Antonia.

Almost immediately Antonia felt Anton enter her mind. What happened? Her asked, horrified. Who hurt you?

It’s nothing Anton, I'm fine.

You can't lie to me; I feel your pain... I feel you dying. Now tell me who did this to you.  Anton demanded.

A group of Unichs...they attacked me. I was helpless to defend myself against so many.

That settles it, you are coming to me or I am going to get you. Anton replied forcefully. You no longer have a choice in the matter. You will get treatment.

It doesn't matter.

Yes it does. Anton cried. I can't live without you.

I'm not important. Antonia replied slowly.

Yes you are. You give my life meaning...without you I'd be lost. Now get up on your horse and come to me, or I'll drag you here. Seeing no other option Antonia called Midnight and, after pulling herself into the saddle, started out to Namen.

The road was long and tiring, leaving Antonia with no strength at all. If she’d been attacked she wouldn’t have been able to do anything. Thankfully, all people saw as they traveled the old Athean roads, was a raggedy young woman on a horse, no one saw her for what she was, An Athean warrior. It confused her, though, how people cared what she looked like, but it did help. With their reactions she was able to hide in plain sight.

Her pain rose every day, but Antonia forced herself to go on and ignore it, for Anton.

He believed in Antonia, trusting her to arrive and she didn’t want to let him down.

For days she rode, stopping only to rest and water the horse, for which she never  left the saddle, knowing she would die if she did.

It took her about a week to cross into Nacara where her hopes rose. As she crossed Nacara, she saw more people and they were kind, asking her if she needed any help, but she refused. Their impression though stuck with her. She was reminded of some she met while on the Fields of Blood. One was an old man who’d stayed for awhile. He’d known that she was there and would sit and talk to her. He told her of his life and family, telling her it was okay to hide if she wanted to, no one could blame her, He was the only one that seemed to understand and care. After awhile she started to answer to him, one thump for yes and two for no. even though she never said a word or showed herself, their relationship grew. He eventually did leave, but his impression stayed with her, like the people she met. She didn’t understand though why the people traveling on the old Athean roads were so mean, when these people were so kind. Their attitudes and concern helped Antonia continue when all she wanted to do was stop and rest.

It seemed to Antonia that the road would never end, and she was starting to feel as if she couldn’t go on. She was just about to give up and die on the side of the rode when, to her relief, she saw a city in the distance. Namen! She cried to herself. I made it. With a new burst of energy, Antonia urged Midnight onward, making it to the gate where she approached the guards. “I’m looking for Anton Van’Bratta.” She replied as she straightened her back.

“Yeah he told me you would come, but I was told you were badly hurt.”

“I received treatment, I’m fine.” She lied.

“If you insist.” The guard replied looking at her with big brown eyes. “Follow me; I’ll take you to him.” With a short turn he started off, leading Antonia through a crowed of people. “He should be at his warrior ceremony in the great hall. I will take you there.”

As she followed the guard in his blue uniform, leading Midnight on foot, Antonia glanced around. Shops of every shape and size laid everywhere. There seemed to be a strange order to the way that it had been built, if any, but Antonia knew that this was just the way the Nacarans lived, out of order. Before she knew it, the guard turned to Antonia. “This is it, the great hall. You will find Anton inside.” With that he left, leaving Antonia in front of a building that was tall and made of wood. Finally, Antonia gathered her courage and started to open the doors and stepped into a room full of people

Unfortunately, Antonia had used up all her strength to get there, for she couldn’t stay awake and before she knew it, she collapsed through the door and started to lose conciseness. She heard voices and saw blurred faces but she couldn’t make them out, and soon, she fell asleep, oblivious to all around her. The last thing Antonia could remember was a call of her name.