A young Akefia raced merrily through the village, laughing as he tried to escape the small girl behind him. His eyes shone with innocence, and he had no evidence of the scar that would one day mar his face.

"You can't catch me!" he yelled confidently. "

"Oh you just wait!" she growled lightly. "I'll get you yet!"

After their chase brought them right outside the village, they collapsed laughing not knowing what horror was about to befall them.

"Akefia? What do you want be when you grow up?" the girl asked, turning her head to look at him.

"Me?" Akefia asked. "I'm going to be the king of thieves!"

"A king? Really?" the girl asked, scoffing. Akefia puffed out his chest.

"Of course!" the girl smiled, and turned to look at the sky.

"Then I'll be the queen of thieves!"

"Okay Pearl!" Akefia said holding out his hand jokingly. "It's a deal!"

Pearl took it, smiling at the blush on both children's faces. Suddenly a strange stampeding sound could be heard. Pearl and Akefia sat up, staring at the horses in wonderment. They had the colors of the palace on them.

"What do the king's guards want with our village?' questioned Pearl.

Then the screams started. Akefia and Pearl looked at each other, wide-eyed. They stood up quickly and raced towards the village. Pearl ran ahead of him and stopped, gasping. Akefia came up behind her and grabbed her, covering her eyes. It was a horrible sight. Soldiers pulling people from their homes, mothers screaming or their husbands and children, people fighting for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Kul Elna was not perfect, but it was just enough. It was not only the last resort for thieves and villains alike, it was their home. And now all that was being taken away. Then one man broke out from the rest. He fell on his knees to the guards.

"Please take me," he sobbed, "but spare my poor granddaughter."

At the old mans words, Pearl stiffened, then lashed out widely, shrieking "Grandpa! Grandpa I'm coming!"

She struck at Akefia, who released her from his grip. "Pearl don't! Its too late, we must escape!"

"You go on ahead, I'll catch up!" Pearl said over her shoulder.

"I can't do that!" Akefia said, grabbing Pearl's arm. "I can't lose you!"

Pearl smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and pulled away. "Trust me."

Akefia sighed, and let her go. "Promise me you won't look back:"

Akefia stared at her, taken by surprise. "Huh?"

"Promise me!" She said pleadingly.

"I promise" Akefia murmured, kissing her forehead. "Alright."

She smiled. Pearl raced towards her grandfather, and Akefia turned the opposite way towards the dessert sands, trying to keep the tears in.

After only going a short while Akefia heard a heart-shattering scream. He knew who it was, and was about to turn around, when he remembered Pearl's words. "Promise me you won't turn back," and turned around again, not bothering to keep in the tears this time. Goodbye Kul Elna, goodbye my love. I will never lose my faith in you…