Spirit Collector asked:

This is a prologue of my story. I’m young so please be easy on me.

Prologue

Romaniz pounced up and down through the thick and humid forest of Conscia. The undergrowth was wet and sunlight was infrequent, peeking through the smallest gaps between the canopies of leaves. His upper torso was wet with his own blood and his deep wound was done by his own thin blade. He was starting to pant but the cave was near, not far ahead. His crimson blood was dripping second after second leaving a trail behind. He was afraid that someone might follow him so he started running on his four legs a little faster jumping and crawling through the vegetation. There it was, the damp and dark cave he has been taking refuge in for quite a period. “Just a little more,” Romaniz thought in his mind as his vision was blurring due to the immense amount of blood that he lost. His pace started to slow down and in a blink of an eye light flashed around him and when it was all gone, there stood a young man kneeling on the floor, no more a white furred wolf. Blood was still dripping from underneath his shirt and flowed through to change his shirt from a light yellow to a dark red which was spreading all over rapidly. Half the blood from his body was already lost and much more was still flowing out in thick drops. He dropped his blue battle coat which was emblazoned with the crest of a phoenix on the ****** pocket onto the ground along with his swords. He dragged his body deeper into the cave as blood smeared onto the ground and all of a sudden he collapsed. He was sprawled on the ground, covered in his own blood. Blood was still flowing from his deep wound caused by his own blade which lay beside him, wet with crimson liquid.

“The Guardians of Kronov rumoured to be found in the 12th century by a young man named Ashcroft Arwan, was only an idea to uphold peace between certain human kingdoms and empires that were creating chaos and war. Although they had already discovered our kind then, the young man was never foolish enough to dwell upon the idea of using his army to oppose the Ancient Family. Soon, they used artificial magic to train fighters as they thought more power was necessary. After issues were settled among humans and peace was achieved, they soon became our biggest problem. They were an army full of well trained fighters with a lot of power and nothing to fight. Those in black usually came past our kingdom to speak with the king in the 15th century, King Kannabis. Unfortunately one meeting changed the fate of two lands, Kronov and ours. We still not know the cause of the tussle but we know the Guardians initiated it at first and King Kannabis realized we ought to fight back. Thus the battle between the Guardians of Kronov and the Zealots of the Ancient Family began.”
-Paragraph III, Page 588 of The Ancient Family philosophy book

The golden-haired youngster started fiddling with his father’s sword, thinking if being a Guardian of Kronov was the right choice or not. He was sitting on his bed with his silver armoured suit on and he kept gazing into the reflection of his face on the silvery surface of the broadsword. Whether or not his fate was sealed to die as a Guardian he had to become one. He slid the sword into the wide scabbard and walked out his wooden decorated room and faced nothing but the future. He was willing to risk his life and even leave his family, relatives, friends and his past. Everyone gave goodbyes but he didn’t seem to listen and stared at something distant as he waved away of what had made him that day. On his seventeenth birthday.

“The Holy War happened in the year before this article was written. The war was the greatest clash between the Zealots and the Guardians of Kronov up to date. Many of ours died but theirs have been decreasing immensely from two hundred to fifty in number only. As elite fighters battle it out we realized, we were on the same level, no more, no less. As a writer I never thought of a cause that would end the rivalries, the bloodshed or the immense violence until now. Nothing but rage fueled their thirst for violence and defeat of the other party. The Guardians though like the Zealots were not much different. Both helped the innocent, had loved ones, both were only heartless to each other. I know not much of the Guardians of Kronov but what rumour I heard of their weaponry caught my attention. For the Zealots, they train with magic, are born with magic and are magic. The Guardians of Kronov use an amulet or pendant which they wear around their necks. These pendants contain the soul of creatures, whether from this world or not, we do not know. We have never seen them transform into these beings before but that is what these pendants are for. Enough said. I shall sign off.”
-Article 56, the Holy War and the Guardians of Kronov by Alexise Quartet

“The gift to draw negative energy is very rare and it can happen to anyone and usually randomly. The gifted will absorb the melancholy, hatred and anger of worlds and use it as power. The feeling was great; a burst of energy and power within you but the gifted will feel the pain, sorrow and hatred of the ones he absorbed from whether plant, animal or human. Once the gifted absorbs enough base power, he or she needs no more as he or she recycles the power that he or she gives out. The flowing emotions power him or her on and on. Only an abstract material can stop these beings. The answer is yet to be found. So far in the past centuries, no ‘Fallen’ have been discovered. Only one case ever happened but luckily that ‘Fallen’ had drifted off with another piece of earth into space and has never been seen again. We not know of what gives them the power to do so but with no specimen to study directly it is not possible to go further. The creatures that had their negative power drawn have lost the feeling of sadness, anger, hatred or death. Very strange, indeed. Wonder if there is an opposite? That would be dangerous.”
-Biogic Human Times, July 10th, Page 28 by Barthemeus Torche

He awoke in a white plain room with an IV on the side of his bed and multiple blankets over his body. His torso was wrapped in bloodied bandages and it stung so much when he made use of the muscles there. He felt paralyzed and confined in the hospital gown and his range of vision was restricted and he couldn’t turn his neck properly. He was looking around the room for her. “I’m here.” He glanced downwards and saw the only person he could ever trust. His pride, his love and his life was still living and breathing at the foot of his bed. “Oh good, you’re ok.” “Yes, but not you. I was worried and Arwan sent a team after you.” She said silently, averting her gaze from his fallen state to the window. “But I’m fine if you are.” He laid there acting as though the two holes in his stomach weren’t real and proceeded to get some sleep while he could. “They barely got you in time. You nearly died. Do you care how I feel? I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t cry because a Guardian can never cry even in private. If there was no code I would have drained these eyes because of you. You never cared how I feel. Selfish. As long as I was yours. That was all that mattered.” Her tone did not change and was still monotonous but her feelings reached through her words and pierced right through him. He struggled himself to get up and apologize to her but it hurt so much, it pinned him to the bed. She stood up from the chair and left silently and effortlessly with her thick broadsword over her shoulder. “Sleep. I want your wounds to heal and tomorrow morning I’ll be leaving to clean up the mess of what’s left of your mission. I decided to cancel my presence to take care of you but seeing that my help is not welcome or appreciated and that the servants can do a better job I’ll leave at dawn.” “No! You’ll die if you want to fight that beast. Even my team couldn’t make a cut on it’s body. Please. You know I love you and was sorry that I worried you a lot. Please don’t.” He was pleading as his face could only see the ceiling. He struggled to get up but he couldn’t. “But Arwan doesn’t know that I cannot defeat it. Sleep well. I love you too.” She shed a tear as she walked out of the room and left it to flow down her cheek. She let it flow from her face proudly. It was evidence of her love.

“No. Get me out of this thing! Someone. I demand you to get me out of the bed. Carry me. I don’t care.” He shouted out orders but it was no use. No one was there to hear except for her as she retired to her room. Blocking out his pleads which made her feel worse. She laid her broadsword on her bed and sat there with crossed hands, ready to meet death the next day.

“I haven’t made love to you in a long time. I’m sorry. Come, here.” He gestured her to come closer. “We never made love before, Romaniz.” She answered with a confused look. “Haha. Not that type of making love. I meant cuddling you, kissing you and all that you know?” He laughed triumphantly seeing her face from a confused one to a one lit with understanding. “Oh yes. You haven’t done so in a long time and I’m angry that you didn’t. Hmph.” She turned her gaze away with eyes closed and lips curled downwards. “I’m sorry. I’m busy. Come, here.” He dragged her forcefully and lovingly by the waist across the bed and laid his chin on her shoulder, arms around her waist. He then started nibbling on her neck then the cheek. Stopping once or twice to look her in those glassy eyes and smile. They finally kissed on the lips softly after he nibbled on her for quite a while. “Your lips have never lost their touch, huh?” “Nope.” He answered, silencing her by kissing her again and again. They stopped and held hands and directed their gaze towards the full moon. She let go of his and walked to the window by her bed that was wide open to let the moonlight in. She gazed for a moment until Romaniz wrapped his arms around her waist and arms and laid his chin on her head from behind. He was about to proceed and nibble on her neck but stopped and sniffed lightly. He closed his eyes as she lay her hands over his and watched the scenery upon them. “Hazel, I love you a lot.” “ Me too.”

She snapped out of her dream and smiled a little. She was dreaming of a memory she held so dear to herself. She glanced to her window and noticed the dark sky. An abyss without the moon. It was completely dark and it felt like their relationship was like the sky. It was falling apart and there was nothing bright in it anymore. She knew there was still three hours or more till dawn and decided she needed as much sleep for the mission.

He cried all his tears out the night before blatantly as his eyes were sore and so pink to the flesh. There were also dark lines which outlined the depression under his eyes. He couldn’t cry anymore, and for the first time, his articulation of words were disastrous. He stuttered and choked. He could only hold her gloved hand after giving up with speaking to her. He was begging, pleading while she was upright and strong and despite the ache in her heart, she could do so with ease. She brought his figure up and kissed him softly and proudly on the lips with her eyes closed. Like it was their wedding and they had finished their vows. He kept his eyes open, not in shock but too register this moment as a photograph, so he could remember her serene face while she kissed him. When their lips were apart, he hugged her to his chest and sniffed her hair and hand clutched to her head. She forced herself apart and told him, “I need to go.” He only nodded in acknowledgement and looked on, his chocolate eyes were pathetic and his hands reacted to reach out for her. But he retracted them as he knew that she burned bridges already. There was no coming back. She received her broadsword from a servant and slid it into her scabbard which hung over her shoulder. An audience looked on as they kissed and parted, nobody with the courage to stop them. She proceeded to hop on her transport, taking a last look at her other half for what might be the last time. She was ready to leave and command her comrades to depart but she looked around her and tried her best to memorize the place. But someone else didn’t want her to stay long as it seemed. Multiple arrows whizzed by but the Guardians were prepared with armour which deflected the weak projectiles off. Much more arrows pelted and rained onto them. She easily repelled the arrows off with her broadsword but something was not right. What was their purpose, she jumped off the saddle on her transport and headed back towards the castle’s entrance with her weapon ready but what she saw made her dizzy, angry, sad and shocked. He stood there like a warrior he is, wielding his swords gallantly. But two arrows were sticking through his chest and his healing wounds reopened to form a large patch of blood around his waist. His swords were thin and he was vulnerable without his armour. She was so shocked and paralyzed, she didn’t notice enemies passing her and confronting him. He finally fell after a jab from one enemy to the abdomen. He was helpless. She carried him up but decided he was better off lying on the floor. His eyes were starting to turn gray and he muttered his last words, “Don’t go.”

Sweat was running down her face and she was freezing to the bone. It didn’t take long for her to realize what the dream tried to interpret to her about him. She had to stay with him or he would die. It was chilly despite the fact her windows were closed. It must be her thin clothes. She washed her face with cold water and combed her hair, out of her face. She decided to check up on him. Hoping he was sleeping well. She stopped at the door of the ward and saw him asleep but his face was a little crumpled in pain. Physical or mentally she couldn’t tell. She stood by his bed and ran the back of her hand along his cheeks and face. He was sweating profusely. His pillow was drenched and his hands were clutched tight to the blankets. He was on fire. It didn’t help that she just see him like that. She took a pail of water and a white towel from the bathroom opposite the ward. She dipped the towel and dabbed on his forehead continuously. After twenty minutes or so he stopped hyperventilating and the creases on his face eased down a little. “Hazel?” He opened his eyes in a weak manner. The pain got to him already. “Yes, I’m here Romaniz. Go back to sleep. You’re in pain.” He clenched his teeth in pain as he tried to sit up but Hazel pinned him down with her elbow and hissed, “No. Please don’t be stubborn. You need to heal.” He gave up and eased. “I want to see you leave.” He winced as he said those words but she couldn’t tell if it was in the physical pain or emotional pain. “You don’t have to. I’m staying. I foresaw an ambush and…” His face lit up despite the pain and he felt cured but he realized she didn’t finish her sentence. “What is it?” He now held her hand which was icy and stiff. “You… died.” He gave a hard laugh, in disbelief of course. “You must be kidding. Ok. What kind of ambush? Anyway I should have been dead for what made this.” He meant the wounds he currently had. “Arrows rained on us. While I was leaving.” She looked down. Her voice was cracking. Then she regained her composure and continued, “So, I’m falling behind the others to take care of you. I’m afraid that’s why.” He kissed the back of her hand another time and started to embrace it. She still hung her head in depression to avoid his gaze. She was embarrassed to cry but she let her tears drip to her t-shirt hoping that the darkness would cover that up. “Come here. Lie on top of me.” She glanced towards him for a quick moment and then averted from his gaze again. “You’re hurt. I might make it worse. I’ll go and let you rest.” She stood up and laid the wet cloth gently on his head. She took a step forward but his hand was still grabbing hold onto her arm. This time it was vice-like. She looked back and gave up. His arms were still strong despite his ‘lie on bed everyday prescription’ for a month or two. “I’m warning you. I might hurt you.” He laughed, thinking how could she hurt him at all. She carefully climbed onto the bed and laid her chest over his but looked away from his eyes. Her cheeks were still wet. She could only hear Romaniz trying to regain his breath because she wasn’t that much light but after a second or two he sounded fine. “Hazel, please don’t cry. I’m here.” He didn’t want to see her weak and vulnerable. He wrapped his arms around her and lovingly, he licked her closed eyes to get rid of the tears and he was careful to be gentle. She felt a little better as Romaniz started to lick her cheek and closed eyes. It has been a long time since he has done something loving and it was very strange but loving as he licked her cheeks from tears. She couldn’t help let out small sobs into his shirt and grab his shirt with her hands. He only kept silent and held her as she released her feelings. It was better if she let it out now than later. “Better?” He asked after a minute or so and she looked up and nodded. He chuckled. It was her adorable face and the way she nodded. She was very cute when she was crying. He kissed her hair and hugged her closer. She sniffled and hugged him back.

Hints of sunlight colored the purple skyline as dawn broke through the dark sky with the young sun peeking over the horizon slightly. Romaniz and Hazel were in slumber by then, clasping each other closely and breathing heavily into each other’s slightly agape mouth. They were both visibly exhausted and slightly injured in different ways. For the moment, their problems were set aside. A young female servant, not older than sixteen who brought breakfast for patients such as Romaniz in the early morning. She nudged Hazel lightly on the shoulder with her index finger. Hazel awoke, opening her eyes and sitting up, careful not to stir Romaniz awake. She glanced at the servant and gave a warm smile. “I’m sorry. I should not disturb your work.” Hazel gave a quick peck on Romaniz’s left cheek and was about to get off the bed when the servant spoke and put her left palm to stop her from leaving. “No. It’s okay. You can help me if that is alright?” She nodded and smiled and waited for instructions. “Mr. Alexander here is very stubborn to take his pills or eat breakfast since the first day he was hospitalized. So I hoped you could help?” She chuckled and glared at Romaniz’s face for a while before agreeing with the servant. She laid the breakfast on the bedside table and woke Romaniz up. “Hey. Stubborn get up.’ she said menacingly partially angry with him. He opened his eyes wide and suddenly shouted, “Hazel? You there?” He only calmed down after realizing that she was there and she stroked his hair gently. He must have thought that she lied to make him better. She then whispered soothingly, “I’m here silly. It’s alright.” He closed his eyes in relief and joy as she let her warm palm to wonder over his cheeks and chin. After a long moment, Hazel realized that the servant was still there, witnessing their embrace between each other. She turned and saw that the servant was staring at them and both of them flushed. “I’m sorry.” “No, it’s ok. Should we give him the pills now ma’am?” She asked as her face returned to a normal colour. She nodded and turned to Romaniz whose eyes were wide in shock as he saw the pills carried on Hazel’s palm. “No. They taste very bad. I would lose my appetite. Please no.” She gave him a stern look full of authority and Romaniz cowered a little. “You’ll eat first then take the pills? Promise me?” He nodded and frowned. She took the small plate that held his breakfast and passed it to him. He only held it and observed it. “Need me to feed you? Are your arms hurt or something?” He shook his head and openly grimaced. “Come on, eat. Or else… I might change my mind about leaving.” He then quickly stuffed a handful of his breakfast into his mouth and chewed unwillingly. She giggled along with the servant at his reaction. He only continued eating till he finished. After he gobbled it down, she gave him the glass of milk and he drank, this time willingly. He then handed Hazel back the glass and asked, “So leaving?” She shook her head and gave a radiant smile. Romaniz then kissed her on the cheek and left a milk stain on her cheek. “Ugh. Look at your mouth. Come on clean up and then your pills.” He looked a little disheartened but obeyed. After finishing everything, Hazel returned the plates and glass to the young servant. She bowed in acknowledgement before leaving. He then looked at her and said, “Now can we do things in private?” She gave a puzzled look and was kissed by Romaniz before saying anything. He pushed her on the bed and was on top of her with his hands pinning her arms to the side as he smothered her. He stopped to let her breathe. She tried to wiggle herself out carefully not to hurt him in anyway but she was trapped. He chuckled darkly and then let his lips move over throat and neck. Then to her collarbone. He started to lead his prey into his trap with his lips. Hazel moaned occasionally but tried her best to keep silent. He then stopped at her forehead and kissed it. He released his prey and smiled. She was hyperventilating subconsciously and stared back at him. “Next time, if you want to seduce me like that, please warn me. I nearly wanted to kick you in the abdomen for that.” He continued laughing. “Sorry. I will. Was I really seducing you? Oops.” She nodded and maneuvered her self from his cage-like stance. She was startled by the time and realized she had to get dressed. She strode out of the room but his hand held onto her forearm with the same vice-like grip last night. He didn’t want to seduce her again but more afraid of her leaving. “Don’t worry. I’m just going to see my comrades off. It would be very rude for me not to do so.” He nodded and spoke. “Can I follow?” She was uncertain about that and asked, “Can you walk? Are you ok?” He smiled and answered, “Of course. Don’t worry. Go get dressed. Meet me in ten minutes here?” “Sure. Be quick okay?” She strode off quickly to her room after he released her arm.

He ogled as she approached him. She was dressed in her elegant battle suit which was white and dark blue. Made of expensive silk and had ribbons on certain places. The biggest was slightly below her neck which enhanced her beauty. “What?” She noticed the way he looked at her. Never did he do that in a long time. She was just wearing the same dress yesterday. “You’re gorgeous. I’m sorry I never noticed that. Give me your hand.” She held her hand out which was soft and warm. They both then walked to the clearing. “You look handsome too. Sorry the word is kind of an understatement is it?” He chuckled and looked at her. “Oh come on. It’s the suit. None of me.”

The Guardians of the 67th Faction were all saddled on their transport. A giant bat, varying in different colours. Discovered by Ashcroft Arwan and other members of the 1st Faction in another dimension and are very useful, especially in the night. The common transport for Guardians who are assigned to long distanced missions. Hazel’s hand was released from Romaniz’s clasp so that she could exchange last few words with her members and wished them luck. They all nodded and understood and respected her decision to stay behind. After a round of exchange of words, she regained her position beside Romaniz and he held her hand instantly. There were not many people present there. Only loved ones of the members and a few Black Suits. Romaniz caught the emotion of the Black Suits from their faces and Ashcroft wasn’t there. He sensed something was amiss. He was distracted for a second until he looked back to Hazel and smiled. She smiled in return and continued to see her friends ready to drift into the skyline. All of a sudden, Anterios Belacquar, a member of the 67th faction, shouted in a panicked tone. “Ambush!” Romaniz’s head quickly cocked to her direction and gave her an unreadable expression. She was still safe and he was partially surprised her foreseeing was correct for the first time. Arrows dropped ten feet from Romaniz and were coming closer gradually. Everyone was prepared and the Black Suits who could use their weapons for long distances retaliated. There were no evident enemies in the sky as far as Romaniz could see. No one was hurt yet. He was about to run to the Black Suits for orders but Hazel suddenly blurted over the pandemonium. “I should get our weapons. It would be better.” He was hesitant but he nodded and let her leave. It was in the building, so it was safe enough. He ran as the 67th Faction held the projectiles away well but they were afraid it might not end. Sara Coverfold, another member of the 67th Faction took her transport to scan the skies for any sign of the enemy. Romaniz spoke to one of the Black Suits named Aleister Crowley for orders and added opinions. “Sir, what action do we take?” He glanced at Romaniz and answered, his hands tight around his weapon, an axe. “Standby the clearing and hold till Sara gives us a report. We can do nothing more, this is merely a trick. Look at the arrows. They can’t even scratch our armour yet they’re shooting it at us.” Romaniz stood shocked. If it was a trick then they might have ambushed the building instead of the clearing. He thought of Hazel. Aleister sensed his distress and added, “Don’t worry. There are more Guardians in there than here.” Romaniz eased up and felt relieved. He was true. More than out here. Safer in there. Soon the arrows stopped pelting on the clearing and it was a sign that it was safe to move around. Romaniz straightaway rushed back to the building. He wondered why she didn’t come to the clearing with the weapons. Maybe they were too heavy for her he thought. As he rushed to her room, a crowd of nurses and Guardians clustered around something he couldn’t see. They were whispering and fussing over something unseen to him. He was frustrated that they would gather at this moment while there were enemies attacking. But as he came closer, he realized that something laid on the floor as some of them bent down over the thing. He then gasped in shock. The air was knocked out of him as he saw that Hazel laid on the floor bleeding profusely. The blood stained the dress especially over her chest. He bent down in shock and shoved everyone aside. He then held her bloodied hand and kissed it despite the blood. She was attacked with arrows blatantly because there were two arrows by her side. The ends wet with crimson. She was a little dazed but called his name upon seeing him. “Romaniz. Please don’t cry. I’m alright. I can’t even feel the pain.” She smiled wholeheartedly despite the mess around her. He laid his free hand over her chest and applied pressure. Tears slid down his cheek and onto her dress they fell. Hazel then stroked his hair and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll always be there. No matter what.” She then indicated his heart with her index finger as she held it up weakly. He then stared into her eyes and spoke with slight anger. “Don’t you say that Hazel Chane. Don’t you say that.” He used her surname meaning he really meant it. Tears were flowing endlessly but his face remained normal and held its composure. They then looked at each other thoughtfully like the first time they confessed to each other as lovers. She smiled, like she always did, before him. “Kiss me. This might be the last. I love you. More than I ever did in this life.” He smiled, and let another tear flow onto her face this time. “Rubbish. You could never love more than I do.” He accepted that she could only live a few more minutes and the kissed her. Passionately and lovingly. He kissed like if the more passionate it was, the more time she was given. For another two minutes or so, their lips never parted. He pulled back and saw her eyes open. She smiled for the umpteenth time today and finally cried a tear. “Smile ok?” Then she took her last breath before her eyes turned gray and the life faded. He buried his face into her neck and finally let his guard down.

Boshra M asked:

MY
RENDITION

By: Boshra Mohamed

CHAPTER ONE

It was just past midnight, I had gone to bed at ten, but had to get up now to use the bathroom. It was freezing, I pulled on a shawl over my shoulders that was hanging at the window sill, I was walking down the hallway to the bathroom when I suddenly heard them. Soldiers probably, walking around drunk, singing and hollering like the drunks they were. I thought nothing of it, this was nothing out of the ordinary, but then I heard my mother give a start, I rushed into her room to see what had awoken and startled her, but saw nothing out of the sort, I scanned the room again, but again nothing seemed out of place. I turned to my mother and my heart skipped a beat, my mothers looked so ill faced, like as if she had seen a jinn , she stood frozen like a statue. I rushed to the washroom and cupped some water in them from the bathtub facet; then I rushed back into the room and sprinkled it on her face. She suddenly came to and looked at me with such worry and love in her eyes. She embraced me in a hug, shaking, and repeating the same words over and over again, “oh, my child, oh my sweet innocent child”.
I had not the slightest idea of what was going on, or to the answer as to why my mother was acting the was she was, but non the less, it didn’t matter, I kneeled with her, and clutched her as hard as I could, trying in anyway I could to comfort her, telling her that it was okay and that I was here.
I stayed up with her for about a half hour after that, forgetting my urge to urinate, after that crucifying half and hour my mother seemed to come back to reality, she looked at me and told me that I had better go back to bed, and that everything was fine. I took one glance at her face and knew that I wasn’t going to ask what had happened, and I also knew at that moment that I never would. I went back to my bed, and pulled the covers up over my head and let sleep ease its way in. that night was the last night of being a child.

“Aisha, Aisha wake up, its morning”
“ungh go away you pest, let me be”
“No, now come on and make me breakfast” whined Yusseff, the youngest of our family “im starving”.
“Okay, okay im up” I retorted in a groggy sleepy voice, “is mother up yet?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.
“No, she said for you to make us breakfast and that she needed to rest”.
I pulled the covers off me and folded the sheets up and placed them in the cupboard, then I made my way to the bathroom, to make wudu and wash my face and get ready to pray.

After I had prayed the first of my prayers for the day, I headed to the kitchen, when I got there; I headed over to the fridge.
Yuseff had already bet me to it and started reporting the morning reports, and always it was the same thing.
“There’s nothing to eat” he whined.
“Sure there is” I said, although in fact he was right. We had been short on money for food ever since father was shot dead 6 months ago. We all tried to earn some money to put food on the plate, even Yuseff.
“I don’t want anymore of that muck, id rather starve” said Yuseff in a desperate voice, “couldn’t we have eggs this morning, please” he begged.
“No” I replied smoothly, those are for mother, she needs all the strength she can get”.
He gave a big sigh, but thankfully left my side and let me be for now.
I got to making breakfast for the 6 of us, 7 to be. Mother was pregnant again; she is due in two months that is why she needs all the nourishment we can provide. Mother is very ill and should not have had anymore kids after Yuseff, but my mother is a strong believer in having as many kids as Allah bids. She says that if she chooses not to have a child, it is like having chosen whether one gets to live or not, it is like deriving one of not only a future, but a life, and that only god has the right to that choice. So here we are with another mouth to feed, but still I see it as a blessing, and I also believe in mother’s point of view, anyway what better to shed some light in this dark time than an innocent child.
I believe that god never gives you more than you can handle, I m sure a path will come to our door, but until that path arrives, I must continue to be that path for now. I guess that you are wondering who I am, now is a good time as any to tell you a bit about myself.
My name is Aisha and I am 16 years old, I have 2 sisters and two brothers, and of course my mother.
My two sisters’ names are Khadiga and Fatima; they are both twins and are 9 years old. Khadiga is 1 minute older than Fatima, and therefore considers herself the older one and the leader, she is always so bossy to the others and will one day make a strict mother. On the other hand, Fatima is quiet and shy, but is always fighting with her sister; she loves to draw and reads anything she can get her hands on, one day I believe that she will make a great architect, because she is always building and fixing stuff. The twins are both identical; they both have dark brown wavy hair up to their shoulders and two big beautiful golden eyes.

Then there is Mohammed who is 10 years old. Mohammed is the man of the house, he puts it on himself the most to go out on the streets and to find jobs to earn some money here and there. He is a very quiet kid, but not the kind of Fatima quiet, he is the kind of quiet that is very thoughtful, you know that he is always deep in thought. He may be very young but he has something about him that makes him seem much too old and wise for his age, he is one of the mysteries that I my self have yet to figure out, he is the kind of person that makes a hooker feel some level of shame. Mohamed has very dark black straight hair that is up to his shoulders, against very pale skin. Then there is Yuseff, the crazy one, he is so loud and hyper and does not lack imagination, he is always everywhere making people laugh, he is just your typical five year old, full of adventure and innocence, Yuseff like me has very light brown hair against pale skin and brown eyes, we have both mothers eyes and hair. People say that I look like mother, but that must be impossible because mother is so beautiful, she is the prettiest women I have ever seen. Mother is now in her late 30’s but doesn’t look a day older than 32 at the most. Father, as I has mentioned earlier is dead. Father was a great man, a man that looked at the facts and evidence before he judged. Father was so equal, and kind. One day about 6 months ago on the 25 of December 1999, he was going for his nightly stroll and giving some food to the homeless, then out of no where two soldiers come up to him and shoot him. They were most likely drunk, they had no reason to kill father, I **** them so much, even though father was the one who taught me never to hate, I couldn’t help it, how am I supposed to think otherwise of them, thus now I **** all soldiers, I believe that they are all bad, and have no hearts, and my thoughts are not about to change on that matter.

I got out the wheat to begin breakfast, we were to have oatmeal again, we have been eating oatmeal every morning now for about 3 months, but that doesn’t matter, there are people much less fortunate than us, we should be grateful that we have something to survive by.
I heard the front door open and someone calling out assalamu alakum, which means peace be with you. It is customary to great everyone like this and also when you step into a house, to let people acknowledge who you and that you have arrived mostly. Seconds later Mohammed walked into the kitchen looking puffy eyed and tired; he was dirty and smelt of fresh air.
“How’s mother” he asked while pulling out a chair from the kitchen table and sitting down upon it.
“She’s still feeling tired and is laying down” I replied
“Well it is to be expected”, he sighed and leaned back on the chair, putting his arms and hands back behind his head.
“So, did you find a job or some food perhaps” I asked
“No, not today, no one can afford to hire anyone right now, it is getting scarcer and much harder to find anything, I am worried, what shall we do, we cannot go one like this”
“Don’t be worried” I replied “we will be okay, we’ve made it this far now, haven’t we?’
“Yes, I know your right, but still it is very aggravating and worrisome, and the new baby to top it all of”
“Hush, you mustn’t talk like that, you make it sound as if it is a burden, but in truth it is a blessing and we must be very happy and grateful” I scowled motherly.
“Yes, forgive my ignorance” he said “it’s just really hard sometimes, I do wish father were here”
“I now” I sighed “I know, so what news is out there today” I asked
“You know the neighbors on our left, the house that you can see out of mother’s window” he replied, “well it appears to be that they were broken into sometime in the night. All of them including the children were found dead. The house was burned down and there bodies along with it. That’s the fifth family this month, Allah help us” he sighed.
I didn’t think anything of it at the time. It was just another morning report of what was going on in the neighborhood this morning.
The oatmeal was ready, I washed my hands and hollered to the kids to come and eat. I had also fried mothers eggs and now set them on a plate with some bread for her to eat.
The twins rushed in and gave me some flowers, they were mostly weeds and roots but they were still very beautiful, “to brighten the place up” they said together, then giggled.
“their beautiful” I commented, then couldn’t help scowling, “ you mustn’t wander outside like that anymore, I forbid you to, the yard is no longer safe anymore as well”, they both just rolled their eyes at me and went to get the blanket that we used to eat and spread it on the floor in the living room to eat. I left to get mother, but not before reminding them to say Bismallah, in the name of god, before they started eating.
I walked into mother’s small, dark room and said her name softly, mother was a very light sleeper, she woke up almost immediately.
“Aisha, good morning, are the kids fed?’ she asked
“They are eating right now, mother, come now you must join”
“I’m not that hungry” she replied, “give my share to Yussef, that child is always hungry.
“Mother there’s enough for everybody” I replied, “now come, if not to eat for yourself, then eat for the baby”.
“Oh Aisha, you are such a good girl, what would I do without you”.
I helped her out of the bed, and lead her into the living room. Everyone was still eating, and the all had smiles on their faces when they saw mother. The girls and Yuseff all crowded around her feet, telling her how there day was so far.
Mother sat down and listened to each of them, and making remarks here and there, and also scowling the twins for going out when it was so dangerous.
She only ate a quarter of one of her eggs and divided the rest up equally for the younger children. I told her not to, but she just said that she wasn’t hungry and didn’t let the issue drag on any further. I made a mental note in my head to scowl Yuseff and the twins for looking at the eggs so longingly that mother knew right of what they desired, and of course being a mother, couldn’t refuse them anything.
When we had finished eating, and all the dishes were done, I called everyone into the living room for our daily studies. Since the children couldn’t go to school I have been teaching them what I can and know so as not to deprive them of some sort of knowledge. I usually taught them geography and history and grammar, while Mohammed taught us all mathematics.
Mother also stayed by our sides on the days she strong enough. She also learnt what she could, and often tested the kids on what they have learnt. Sometimes we were rewarded by mother telling us a story, mostly a story out of the Holy Quran, or of Muhammad pbuh, and his life’s journey and the challenges he faced, and how he solved them. Mother wants us to learn from these stories so that if a situation ever presented itself, we would always be able to solve the solution in a fair and modest way. Like father, he always tried to follow in the prophet’s pbuh’s footsteps and taught us to do the same. Today we were to be lucky, mother had announced for us to come and sit by her and that she would tell us a story. We were all delighted; mother was a spectacular starry teller. I believe that if she were given the chance, she would have made the best teacher ever in literature. In two minutes we were all huddled around her. The twins both sat by her feet on either side, Mohammed sat on her right and I on her left, and Yussef was of course on her lap. Yuseff is very close to mother; he slept by her side until he was three, refusing to sleep with us in the big kids room. Mother laughed and allowed him to, father said that the boy must learn one day to be independent, but never got mad, not even once. Then one day, he just said that he wanted to sleep in the big kids’ room. He just said it out of the blue with no warning whatsoever. Father patted him on the head and said that now he was growing u and becoming a man. I am afraid what the new baby will do to Yuseff. Yuseff has always been the baby of the family, each one of us, including the twins has spoiled him rotten.
“My children, today I shall tell you the story of Prophet Solomon
“Isn’t that the prophet who tricked the jinns mother?” asked Yuseff.
“Yes”, mother replied, “now hush my little one so that I may tell you the story”
“Okay” said Yuseef, snuggling up on mother.
Mother returned the gesture with such love and began the story.
“After the death of his father, Solemn asked Allah for a kingdom that no other after him shall have, and his wish was granted,” Mother began.
“Along with wisdom, Solemn was blessed with more abilities, like he could understand the animals and he could also command the winds. Allah directed him to teach both men and jinns to mine the earth and extract its minerals to make tools and weapons. He was also favored with a mine of copper, which was a very rare metal at that time. During this time the method of transportation was horses”.
“Oh, horses, I love horses” Yussef blurted out.
“Shut up” snapped the twins at the same time “let mother finish”
“Now now” mother threatened “there shall be no use of that kind of language in my house”
“Sorry” mumbled the twins together.
“Please finish the story mother” begged Yuseff.
“One day solemn gathered his army of men, jinns, birds, and animals. He marched them to the country of Askalon” mother started again “while they were marching through a valley, an ant saw an approaching army and cried out to her friends, to watch out or otherwise, Solemn and his army might crush them by accident. Solemn hearing the ants cries, smiled to himself, he was glad that the any knew him to be a prophet that would not initially harm on of Allah’s creatures.
Allah the Almighty narrated: And there were gathered before Solomon his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards). Till, when they came to a valley of the ants, one of the ants said: “O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not.”
So he Solomon smiled amused at her speech and said: “My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I maybe grateful for Your Favors which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves.”

In Jerusalem, on a huge rock, Solomon built a beautiful temple to draw the people to worship Allah. Today this building is known as “The Dome of the Rock.” From there, a large band of followers joined Solomon on pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Mecca. After they had completed their hajj, they traveled to Yemen and arrived in the city of San’a. Solomon was impressed by their clever method of channeling water all over their cities. He was keen to build similar water systems in his own country but did not have enough springs.
He set out to find the hoopoe bird, which could detect water under the ground. He sent signals all over the hoopoe to call on him, but it was nowhere to be found. In anger, he declared that unless the bird had a good reason for its absence, he would punish it severely.
The hoopoe eventually came to Solomon and explained the reason for its delay. “I have discovered something of which you are not aware. I have come from Sheba with important news.” Solomon became curious, and his anger subsided. The bird continued: “Sab’a is ruled by a queen named Bilkis, who has plenty of everything, including a splendid throne. But in spite of all this wealth, Satan has entered her heart and the hearts of her people. She rules their minds completely. I was shocked to learn that they worship the sun instead of Allah the Almighty.”
To check the hoopoe’s information, Solomon sent a letter to the queen with the bird. He instructed the bird to remain hidden and to watch everything.
The hoopoe dropped the letter in front of the queen and flew away to hide. She excitedly opened and read it: “Verily! It is from Solomon, and verily! It reads: ‘In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, and Most Merciful; be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit with full submission).”
The queen was very disturbed and hurriedly summoned her advisors. They reacted as to a challenge, for they felt that there was someone challenging them, hinting at war and defeat, and asking them to submit to his conditions.
They told her that they could only offer advice, but it was her right to command action. She sensed that they wanted to meet Solomon’s invasion threat with a battle. However, she told them: “Peace and friendship are better and wiser; war only brings humiliation, enslaves people and destroys the good things. I have decided to send gifts to Solomon, selected from our most precious treasure. The courtiers who will deliver the gifts will also have an opportunity to learn about Solomon and his military mighty.”
Solomon’s reconnaissance team brought him the news of the arrival of Bilkis’ messengers with a gift. He immediately realized that the queen had sent her men on a probing mission thus, he gave orders to rally the army. The envoys of Bilqis, entering amidst the well-equipped army, realized that their wealth was nothing in comparison to that of the kingdom of Solomon’s palace floors, which were made of sandalwood and inlaid with gold.
They noticed Solomon surveying his army, and they were surprised at the number and variety of soldiers, which included lions, tigers, and birds. The messengers stood in amazement, realizing that they were in front of an irresistible army.
The envoys marveled at the splendor surrounding them. They eagerly presented their queen’s precious gifts and told Solomon that the queen wished that he would accept them as an act of friendship. They were shocked by his reaction: he did not even ask to open the covers of the containers! He told them: “Allah hagiven me plenty of wealth, a large kingdom, and prophethood. I am, therefore, beyond bribery. My only objective is to spread the belief in Tawheed, the Oneness of Allah.”
He also directed them to take back the gifts to the queen and to tell her that if she did not stop her kind of worship he would uproot her kingdom and drive its people out of the land.
The queen’s envoys returned with the gifts and delivered the message. They also told her of the wonderful things they had seen. Instead of taking offense, she decided to visit Solomon. Accompanied by her royal officials and servants, she left Sheba, sending a messenger ahead to inform Solomon that she was on her way to meet him.
Solomon asked the jinns in his employ whether anyone among them could bring her throne to his palace before she arrived. One of them said; “I will bring it to you before this sitting is over.” Solomon did not react to this offer; it appeared that he was waiting for a faster means. The jinns competed with each other to please him. One of them named Ifrit said: “I will fetch it for you in the twinkling of an eye!”
No sooner had this one – who had the knowledge of the Book – finished his phrase than the throne stood before Solomon. The mission had, indeed, been completed in the blinking of an eye. Solomon’s seat was in Palestine, and the throne of Bilqis had been in Yemen, two thousand miles away. This was a great miracle performed by one of those sitting with Solomon.
When Bilqis arrived at Solomon’s palace, she was welcomed with pomp and ceremony. Then, pointing to the altered throne, Solomon asked her whether her throne looked like that one. She looked at it again and again. In her mind she was convinced that her throne could not possibly be the one she was looking at, as hers was in her palace; she detected a striking similarity and replied: “It is as if it were the very one, and resembles mine in every respect.” Solomon judged that she was intelligent and diplomatic.
He then invited her into the great hall, the floor of which was laid in glass and shimmering. Thinking it was water, as she stepped on the floor, she lifted her skirt slightly above her heels, for fear of wetting it. Solomon pointed out to her that it was made of solid glass.
She was amazed. She had never seen such things before. Bilqis realized that she was in the company of a very knowledgeable person who was not only a ruler of a great kingdom but a messenger of Allah, as well. She repented, gave up sun worship, accepted the faith of Allah, and asked her people to do the same.
It was finished; Bilqis saw her people’s creed fall apart before Solomon. She realized that the sun which her people worshipped was nothing but one of Allah’s creatures.
Solomon’s public work was largely carried out by the jinns. This was a punishment for their sins of making people believe that they were all-powerful, knew the unseen, and could foresee the future. As a prophet, it was Solomon’s duty to remove such false beliefs from his followers.
Solomon lived amidst glory, and all creatures were subjected to him. Then Allah the Exalted ordained for him to die. His life and death were full of wonders and miracles; thus, his death harmonized with his life and glory. His death, like his life, was unique. The people had to learn that the future is known neither by the jinns, nor by the prophets, but by Allah alone. Solomon’s effort in this direction did not end with his life, for even his death became an example. He was sitting holding his staff, overseeing the jinns at work in a mine. He died sitting in this position. For a long time no one was aware of his death, for he was seen sitting erect. The jinns continued with their sand toil, thinking that Solomon was watching over them.
Many days later, a hungry ant began nibbling Solomon’s staff. It continued to do so, eating the lower part of the staff, until it fell out of Solomon’s hand, and his great body fell to the ground. People hurried to him, realizing that he had died a long time ago and that the jinns did not perceive the unseen, for had the jinns known the unseen, they would not have kept working, thinking that Solomon was alive.
Allah the Exalted revealed: And We caused a fount of molten brass to flow for him, and there were jinns that worked in front of him by the Leave of his Lord, and whosoever of them turned aside from Our Command, We shall cause him to taste of the torment of the blazing Fire.
They worked for him what he desired, (making) high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (making) cauldrons fixed (in their places). “Work you, O family of David, with thanks!” But few of My slaves are grateful.
Then when we decreed death for him (Solomon), nothing informed them (jinns) of his death except a little worm of the earth, which kept slowly gnawing away at his stick, so when he fell down, the jinns saw clearly that if they had known the unseen, they would not have stayed in the humiliating torment”. Mother finished.
I hadn’t realized that I had been closing my eyes the whole time the story was being read to me. I felt so at peace that I resented opining my eye lids.
“So children, always remember who created you, and whenever you lay eyes upon something, remember who created it”. Mother said.
Yuseff was wide eyed, he loved these kinds of stories, “one day, I shall be a great king such as Solemn was” he announced.
Mother laughed and said that she would be blessed and very proud of him.
Then she sent us of to bed. Yusseff complied eventually to her orders, but not before a big fight, saying that he was no at all tired, and that he wanted to hear another story. But mother won, like she always did, and soon enough all the kids were asleep, and I myself was tucked under my covers waiting for sleep to take me.
For some reason I couldn’t fall asleep, I kept on squirming and rolling around on my mattress trying to get comfortable and trying to will myself to sleep, but I couldn’t, something was not right, something was a miss. I felt it deep down in the pit of my stomach; I felt queasy and did not know why. Something was terribly wrong. Then I saw it and knew what was wrong. Someone was at the window, watching me, looking at me with very cold eyes. My heart froze. I knew then and there that things were never going to be the same again. I knew that once this night was through, my life would never be the same again. I made my way to Yuseff who was sleeping beside
me, I tried to wake him up, but then the pair of cold eyes came rushing into the room. I screamed.

bill h asked:

Do you feel that they — as Jack said, “Sleep under the very blanket of security that [our army] provides, and then [whine] abou the manner in which we provide it?”

Do you wish they would spend a week in China, or Iran, where thier whining would get them a trip to a reeducation center?

Sure they have the right to whine. And people have the right to be bast****ds. But does that make it ok with you?

chris asked:

as an ex soldier, i am against it 100%. the british army, widely acknowledged as the most professional army in the world, until the pc brigade come along, dont want the countries rubbish. we are the best because we are volunteers, so when we are asked to jump, we dont ask why, we ask how high, thats why men went over the top to their deaths, discipline, and blind obedience, i do agree with penal battalions for criminals though, that might make good men out of bad. i did 2 months in military prison, and i wouldnt go back for another day. so leave people who dont wanna be soldiers, but thugs, thieves, etc, penal battalions, run on army rules, by military police. it would also deter people from turning to crime when the ones who come out tell them, you dont wanna go in there mate. and also ease our prison populations. i know you say thay can just refuse, in that case, as in colchester nick, your entitled to blanket,water, and three meals, nothing else. agree or not??

jarrettoby@sbcglobal.net asked:

Ted had a harsh time in the Army and was going insane, he thought of nothing but getting out! He wanted the pain the beatings and the drills to just stop. He felt like he was living every day over and over like it would never stop.
Ted wasn’t the only one, there were two others Kevin and Ty that felt the same. Ted sought to find them the next day but unfortunately he had more drills to do. It just happened that Ted ran into Kevin on a charge at some trees. Kevin was smart but a scrawny little guy that didn’t have any wits and was scared easily.
No one knew why Kevin joined the Army. Ted approached him cautiously, trying not to scare him, but he did and Kevin had turned and stabbed a solder straight through the heart. Blood splattered every where. Ted, speechless looked in horror at the dead soldier. when he looked back to see Kevin, he was gone! He was alone no one could help him no one could save him. Ted shouted, “is any one out there!” But no one answered. As Ted waited for something to happen he heard a quiet sound off in the distance. Ted stood up and called again, “is there any one out there,” he yelled. Again he got no answer. At that point he noticed the quiet sound turned to a high pitched whistle. The sound was coming towards him! There was a burst of light and all around him were his comrades screaming in agony, others in a heated rage of battle against southern rebels! The whistling sound grew deeper and closer as he looked around he saw his parents screaming in his face to come home to leave the Army. Ted started walking towards them when. Boom!! A cannon shell had exploded right onto his parents blowing them to bits! Ted was thrown a couple of feet. He screamed and pulled his muskets trigger! Ted felt the burning metal of the mini ball go through his chin and into his scull scrambling his brain.
He was dead but he was still screaming and he was now lying down on a mattress of straw and some wool blankets back in his smelly old
Army tent. He heard a huff in the tent next to him, a soldier screaming, shut up its 4:00 in the morning! Ted was really scared now. He has been having dreams like that for several days and they scare him more and more every time. The dreams seemed like they were true and his parents are in danger and he has to go home to them right away, but Ted knows that he can’t just get up and go home. He would be shot on the spot trying to escape or they would capture him and punish him severely make him do the worst jobs. I know have reasons for wanting to escape now, he says to him self. Soon Ted fell into a deep sleep. Ted’s deep sleep didn’t last long because two hours later Ted was suddenly woken up by his Sergeant, James Edmond Pease. Apparently the morning bugler had already called and he was the last one up. A few hours Ted found him self scrubbing dishes with out having any lunch as a punishment for not getting up right away in the morning. Ted was really frustrated now because through out his whole time in the Army it’s been nothing but misery. Ted found Kevin that night and talked to him about leaving they also went to find Ty after they found him they did every thing as they normally would do except that they decided to meet in Ted’s tent right before bed time to discuss the plans for escape. The plan was to leave at about 2:30 in the morning and meet by Ted’s tent, and then from there they would go as quietly as possible to the nearest stream they knew of towards the North. Then they would follow the stream north and too freedom.
Ted did not sleep that night, he was too excited and nervous about the whole running away from the Army thing. Ted was just about to get up when some one knocked on his tent and whispered, “Ted hurry up and get out here.” Ted jumped to his feet and pulled on his clothes and grabbed his gun as fast as he could. When Ted got out of his tent Kevin immediately asked him if his gun was loaded. Ted shook his head and said, “no”. Just from the sound of Kevin’s voice he new that some thing was up. Ted demanded Kevin tell him at once or he wasn’t going any where. “There is no time we got to Skedaddle !,”Kevin said. That’s when Ted noticed that they weren’t going to be waiting up for Ty. Before Ted could ask Kevin any thing else, Kevin was already moving off to the trees ushering him to follow. Ted and Kevin crept as quietly as possible through the trees along the camp trying to keep as out of sight as possible. They had made it for about two miles through the woods when Ted grabbed hold of Kevin in to the bushes. There were two picket men on horses not 30 feet away on the edge of the woods. They were on alert looking for something. “Likely fugitive soldiers,” Ted thought. He was right, as Ted and Kevin waited there the two picket men started talking about a man that was caught earlier, this is what Kevin was so worried about Ted thought. Ty must have been caught sneaking through the camp in the dead of night and the officers expect there to be more soldiers trying to run away too. He couldn’t of been more right as of 5 minuets later two more men on horses rode up .“We have two more missing muggings both out of there tents, we suspect there heading North,” said one of the men. Then one man got off his horse and started to walk towards Ted and Kevin. The other men called out “Sergeant where are you going?”. The sergeant responded “I have this weird feeling.” Than as the Sergeant turned to face the other officers Kevin couldn’t take it any more and took off running through the woods. Ted wasn’t prepared for this and it took him some time to notice what was happening before he started running trying to follow Kevin. The picket men had jumped just as Ted had jumped out from the trees and started running and where hot on his tail. Ted did not make it far for he had a shower of bullets hit the trees next to him making him flop onto the ground in cover. The next day Kevin went to trial. It was a very close trial that had almost cost him his life but was spared because the other soldiers in the regiment had wanted to see him suffer. He was set to clean up the other soldiers messes, clean the latrines, and get the worst jobs you could get and to be put up onto the front of the line for the next battle.