[Normal P.O.V]

Blood gushed out of the man's blown off arm, his red, meaty flesh exposed to the air. A hoarse scream tore through the air as he dropped to his knees, clutching his armless shoulder. His natural golden skin ashened, sinking into a tone so lifeless that it gave him the impression of the undead. His allies saw their comrade crumple to the ground and watch as he slowly bled to death, thick red liquid pooling on the sandy ground. The previous shock they initially had because of the retaliation the girl did, knocking the ticking grenade with her staff and reflecting it back at the owner, dissipated almost instantly. Anger consumed their hearts and their bodies immediately spurred into action.

However, a single step was all she needed from them to utterly destroy their ranks like playthings. A metallic pole thrusted into that air and slammed against one of their foreheads, instantly dropping him unconscious. She whirled the quarterstaff around together with her body, her chestnut-brown hair flipping through the air along with her movements. In one fluid motion, she struck two other men in the face with her staff, which momentarily knocks off their senses.

Metal gleamed against the moonlight. Large scimitars and machetes were produced from their waistbands within a few seconds. Their blades sprang up in their hands, wielding them as good as a mercenary could use one. Three advanced at the girl, thinking that like her blind spot was down, only to receive a very harsh boot against their guts. She proceeded to twirl her body around and smash her quarterstaff at the top of one of their heads, cracking his skull.

With her attention away from the men previously in front of her, they lunged forward with their knives. The girl's eye twitched in response as ducked just in time to avoid their attacks, but not fast enough to avoid one of the blades slashing at her arm. She cried out in pain, electrifying and seething heat surged up from her wound and into her brain to alert her body about the wound. The weight of her staff suddenly dragged her down and her movements became sluggish, but her fast reflexes were enough to dodge the men's attacks and maybe even sneak a counter-attack.

"Aabas, Anwar. Hasir alfatata! sanahajim klu maratin." One of the men orded in Arabic.

The men nodded silently and circled around the girl without any trace of attacking but the sense of caution is still there, giving then time to contemplate their next moves. The same goes to the purple-eyed girl. The brindled scarf around her neck held a very odd feeling of safety here in Yemen. Her boots crunched at every step at the crispy, dry ground of the suburbs. She traced the tip of her quarterstaff across the ground in a protective manner, also somewhat warning the Yemeni soldiers from trying any moves.

Ezra Haddock did not expect this to happen and she also never anticipated fighting any rebels of the Almawt Lilaliha terrorist group. She just happened to encounter the after trying to free a family from the clutches of a slave trader, who was apparently tied to the terrorists. So now here she is, surrounded by AlmaLi terrorists in the middle of the night, in the abandoned suburbs of Taizz, eight-thousand miles away from the U.S.

The AlmaLi men were your typical terrorists who publicly beheads anyone who retaliate against their beliefs, except that they nearly conquered the entire country of Yemen, Oman, and half of Saudi Arabia. So in other words, they're bad news.

"'Ayuha alqayid madha nafiel?" One of the rebels spoke up to the man who had the keffiyeh around his forehead and the only gun in the group. There's no doubt that this guy was the leader, or in the ranks of the AlmaLi, the commander.

The rest of the terrorists had their face covered by any type of clothing, let it be a scarf, a mask, or briefs, but just as long as their identity isn't exposed and their vision is clear. The Commander steadied his AK-56 at Ezra, his finger already at the trigger.

"Tusrie baynama 'ana alnnar. Adhhb!" The commander ordered and almost instantly, all of the rebels rushed forward with their blades swinging. A smart move to do is take care of each and one of them, one at a time.

But Ezra knew better. This wasn't a plan to overwhelm her but a ploy to distract her so that the commander could unleash a rain of bullets at her, even at the risk of killing his own men. But before their blades met her quarterstaff, the young Dragon boldly announced, "Oi, Commander!" Said person glared at her in response, but frowned at the girl's gleeful smirk. "Adhhab wadajie nafsak!" She cried out before the rebels overwhelmed her.

A grin curved up the commander's lips at the minor victory he just accomplish. However, it didn't last a second for a flash of light then erupted in the middle of the group, peering out from the gaps between them. Then all of a sudden, a loud spark flickered and all of the AlmaLi terrorists were sent five-feet into the air. Bolts of electricity slithered across their entire body and they fell down to the sandy ground, their skin blackened and their lives stripped away.

The commander's eyes widened at the terrifying and destructive sight before him. The blood drained from his face, leaving his skin as white as a ghost. Tendrils of bluish-white electrical cords sprang out the young Dragon's body. Pure electricity were being discharged from her as if she were a power unit going tendrils snapped randomly at the ground like a lightning storm. Despite being covered by an aura of electricity, a calm expression was plastered on her face.

She has done this enough times to not even be immersed in her own glorious power. The purple orbs that the commander now feared, locked gazes with his amber-brown eyes. The mere intensity of her stare brought the AlmaLi terrorist to his knees. The gun long forgotten, fell uselessly to the ground beside him as Ezra made her way towards him. At each step, the crackling frizzles and the electrical tendrils grew stronger in power. Energy materialized temporarily under her feet, leaving an actual footprint from where she walked on.

"Samhny Allah..." The commander breathed out.

Ezra walked just close enough so that the electrical tendrils wouldn't reach him, but enough to send a very powerful message to him. She twirled her quarterstaff along her hand. Tiny strings of electricity danced along the metal pole and then converging at the very top. She pointed the staff at his throat and held it in place. He could practically feel the sparks of death tasting his flesh. His Adam's Apple bobbed upon the extreme amount of destructiveness held in a single bronze quarterstaff.

"Please, I- I give you anything!" The man pleaded for his life. "You- you want money? I get you money! B- but Ramal won't just give-"

"I have no intention of facing the entire army of AlmaLi." Ezra replied firmly, gazing out into the outskirts of the city. "I just wanted to free that family that you held hostage, which reminds me..." Her gaze shifted back to the commander. A shiver ran down his spine at the dead stare of the young Dragon. His mind lost its control of his body and despite being a merciless terrorist commander, the man lowered his head so low into the ground, his face dug against the dirt.

There was not even a single reason to be scared but the simple act of staring drove him into begging for his life. As if in response, the electricity flashed and crackled around Ezra's body. The tendrils grew braver and shot out right next the man's prostrating form. The humiliation he would get for begging for his life is beyond his imagination. But in that moment, he did not care. He would rather face Allah himself rather than this abomination of a girl. The reason why he's terrified to the bones was not because of the actual girl, but what she could do.

He has only heard about natural abilities such as hers from the activities years ago that took down several countries with their abnormal powers. Now, he is facing one himself and he couldn't stand up in his own two feet.

"...why did you take them hostage?" Ezra seethed out.

"B- because we have received orders th- that there were Christian Yemeni in the area." The commander responded regardless of the dirt and rocks digging into his face. "So we-"

"Decided to take them hostage and eventually kill them." Ezra finished with a nod. A calm smile graced her lips that actually reached her eyes. One by one, the electrical tendrils surged back to her body and the light slowly died out into the night. A few sparks under her feet but otherwise, everything disappeared. "Don't worry. I understand."

The commander's head rose suddenly, bearing a confused yet relieved expression on her face. "Wh- what?" He dared to ask, even with the risk of death. Instead, he was graced with a smile and a small chuckle.

"I decided to forgive you. I'm willing to grant you mercy." She said simply before walking away, leaving the poor commander to his thoughts. An entire breath of a sigh was released from his lungs. He couldn't fathom why she let him live but as far as he know, he doesn't care and now it's a huge weight off his shoulders.

He watched the girl walk away but there was something fishy. Her steps were slow and the grip on her quarterstaff was tight and full of tension. Without the moonlight, you couldn't see the amount of stress on her forearms but the action was there. Before he could even comprehend a thought, a blast of electricity erupted from her body and a bright bluish-white light enveloped her entire body until her form was no longer visible. The commander covered his eyes from the sudden and harsh illumination bursting before his eyes.

Then all of a sudden, he hears a whoosh and before he knew it, the shape of a quarterstaff came to his vision and struck him through his stomach. Searing fiery bursts of electricity and agonizing pain pulsated around the wound, intensifying with each dragging second, jarring and brutal. A throaty scream of torment rang out his mouth but the sound of the flashing electricity crackling inside his body overwhelmed his cry. With each beat, the pain amplified, the bloody muscle quivered, his consciousness ebbed. He could feel the tendrils and cords of electricity snaking inside his body like venom, killing every cell within his body. Soon, black mists swirled at the edges of his mind, drawing him into sweet oblivion. Sparks of electricity gyrated across the bronze pole that protruded out of his gut.

But before he could join his brothers and sisters in Akhirah, he got a glimpse of the form of Ezra looming over his body. The look on her face is the total opposite of what he just saw seconds prior. A twisted look of disgust flashed across her face, sneering down at him like an animal to be sacrificed. A mix of pity and resentment underneath her beautiful eyes. Her mouth opened and the words sunk in his head just right before his life faded into black.

"But he won't..."

Ezra silently pulled her quarterstaff out off the man's dead body, shaking off the fresh blood out of the crown. Her face devoid of any emotion, she walked away from the body but her steps seemed heavy. She's been in this game for a while and she somehow still isn't getting used to it. Sure, there's the joy of erasing the corrupted and evil in the world but it isn't enough. Compared to what they did to him, what she repaid was barely a penny in money terms. She intends to pay the back, with extra.

So she's far from done. She has the power and strength to continue her father's job. The skills to live up to his name and legacy. Ezra knows that her father would absolutely disapprove of her actions. Maybe if he hadn't died, then she would've stayed back home and do what normal teenagers do. But because of the foul evil in this world, his life, along with several others, was taken away forcibly.

No, she won't stop until she has reached the ultimatum. To the point where corruption is being held in her hand, waiting for the moment to be crushed. That is her purpose for now. She used to be her father's light, used to be her mother's. But now, the world has her as its light... and she won't fail.

Ezra wrapped her scarf around her neck, concealing the lower half of her face. Walking blindly through the streets, she found herself in an abandoned house with the doors busted in, windows riddled with gunshots, roof partly crashed in, and a single light illuminating through the gaps in the walls. She stepped in, the sound of her boots crunching against the shards of glass and wood on the ground, alerted the occupants of the house.

A small family of three were present, huddled in a corner while the eldest shielded two of his siblings with his bodies. Once they caught the site of their savior, they relaxed but still held a tense feeling of caution. Dropping their arms slowly, they faced Ezra with a look of fear and relief. But the former slowly vanished after she lowered the quarterstaff on the ground and graced them with a smile, after lowing the scarf from her face.

"Husna. Laqad dhahabuu alan." Ezra reassured them with a calming hand as she lowered herself from the open windows.

The eldest brother nodded at her, but made no move to approach or talk to her. Ezra took no offense and understood his distrust and concern. After all, one of the terrorists was their father and frankly, it'll be hard to trust a stranger after that. But his youngest sister , a mere ten-year old, was brave enough to push out of her parents' protective arms and walk slowly towards the young Dragon.

"Zuri! Kun hadhiraan." The eldest son called out to his little sister, but made no action to stop her.

The ten-year old walk so close to Ezra that she's within arm's reach. Their savior smiled sheepishly and knelt to her level, allowing the child to gaze into her hypnotizing purple eyes. All of a sudden, she stretched out her hands and clutched Ezra's cheeks with her palms. The action surprised the young Dragon, but relaxed once she realized it was a curious decision.

"Jamil jadaa. Eaynak mithl daw' alshumue..." The child whispered, obviously mesmerized with Ezra's eyes. The weak and faint candlelight only made her eyes glow like substitute source of light, immersing all members of the family

The chestnut-haired girl chuckled. "Your eyes are pretty too. What's your name?" A genuine smile broke out on the child's cheeks at the compliment.

"Aismi Zuri." She replied wholeheartedly.

"Ahh, that's a beautiful name. Perfect for you." Ezra cooed, tapping Zuri's nose and causing her to giggle.

The jovial and carefree atmosphere allowed the rest of family to loosen up and enjoy the ten-year old interact with their savior. But as time passes by, Ezra realized that it was getting late and the sun began rising up over the hills, out in the sandy outskirts. Which equivalents to around seven p.m. in Los Angeles, around sunset.

"Asafa. Yjb 'an 'ughadir qabl shuruq alshams." Ezra apologized as she stood back up with her quarterstaff. "Please don't mention I was ever here. Make up a story once you're rescued." Sending them a nod, she made her way towards the door, only for someone to grab her wrist.

It wasn't tight or anything, but the sudden human contact sent mental signals and warning across her entire body. Fear instead, tightened its hold on her chest and heart, and every cell in her body told her to retaliate. Memories flooded her head and every scream, cry, and whimper echoed around her skull. Flashes of the past flickered through her vision like an movie of mental torture. Luckily, her powers did not activate but her instincts forced her to flinch and yank her arm away from whoever was holding her.

She turned around, extremely flustered and more than horrified, and came face to face with the eldest of the family, who had his hands raised in the air in surrender. "'Ana asif jadana!" He cried out, obviously deciphering the mix of shock and fear on her face. He breathed out a shaky sigh. "I just want to know the name of the person who saved us."

Her initial reaction slowly faded away and her heart steadied itself. "'Iinaa asif. I can't tell you." Ezra replied neutrally, her head lowered in shame. Then her gaze hardened and she recalled the words from her father. "I am just a light. I just want everyone to know what they've done. I'm just showing them my anger." This only confused the young man, evident with the frown on his face. Ezra flashed him a sad smile. "La taqlaqi. ln naraa bedna albaed maratan 'ukhraa."

And with that, Ezra ran off to the nearest empty area and propelled her body into the air, flying towards the sky. The small family could only watch in awe as they witness a person burst from the ground and fly through the air, leaving a small gust of wind in her path. As Ezra's form disappeared in the dark clouds, the hanging jaws of siblings slowly returned to its original position.

"What is she?"

Hours after Ezra took off into the air, a rumbling sound of a jeep rose from the streets. Its horn honked over the area as a signal, but got no response back. Soon, an entire convoy drove up to the suburbs and stopped by the abandoned house. But instead of AlmaLi terrorists, Yemeni rebels and government soldiers hopped out of the jeeps, armed heavily with guns and ammunition.

"Masah almntq! Omar, tuhaqiq mn hdha almanzil. Sawf 'atahaqaq mn hdha!" The leader ordered out to his men, to which they immediately followed.

It was obvious that he was no terrorist but a man from the government-trimmed beard, clean short haircut, and an Armed Forces uniform. He took a couple of men to inspect the houses. The sun had already bathed the suburbs with its light, rendering their flashlights useless but only made their jobs easier.

But as they were about to check the first house, they sensed movement shifting inside. The rebel leader halted in his steps and raised his hand to his soldiers to stop as well.

"jihz 'aslihtuk." He ordered. The soldiers raised their guns, cocking them and aimed them directly at the door.

As the sounds grew louder, the rebel leader unsheathed his blade and gripped it with his dominant hand. Then all of a sudden, the door swung open and everyone flinched, all of their weapons clicking at the same time. Only for their expectations to fall when a dark-haired child ran out of the house. At first, their guards didn't lower because there was a possibility that someone was chasing after her. Just as they expected, another person rushed out of the house and grabbed the child, and held her in his arms.

But what they didn't expect was to see a young man, barely leaving his twenties, wrap his body around the little girl in a protective manner and his eyes shut tight. Almost as if he was expecting them to open fire on the little girl. Upon realizing that there was no sign of killing intent, the young man lifted his head and gaped at the group of soldiers before him.

The rebel leader breathed out a sigh and ordered his men to lower their guns. But just as they did, a third teenager ran out of the house and hugged the dark-haired child by her brother's arms. The reports they had stated that it was an entire family that was held hostage. But there were only three in front of him. So, he proceeded to take them to jeeps, where he fed them and kept them comfortable in the vehicle. But there were still questions in his head.

"Talaqiyna 'anba' tufid biaihtijaz bed almadaniiyn rahayin." The leader announced, grabbing the attention of the siblings. "Are you them?"

The eldest of the siblings nodded anxiously. "We are. Qatalat al'am. Father killed her." He replied with a solemn tone. "But afterwards, we were saved.

The rebel leader frowned. "Bawasituh mn?"

Then all of a sudden, the dark-haired child perked up at the question. "It was Light!" She chirped out, a wide grin on her cheeks. The rebel leader's frown grew deeper and an eyebrow of his arched. He turned to the young man, who had an equally confused expression on his face. He certainly knew who she was talking about but a name was never given. So the label or name that his little sister gave was a surprise to him.

"Who is Light?" The rebel leader questioned.

"She is a beautiful girl!" Zuri replied happily. "Tawahaj einayha! Laqad 'anqadhtna! Ymknha altahliq!" The older brother immediately covered his sister's mouth from speaking any more confidential. The least he could do for their mysterious savior—Light, is to at least hide her existence.

The older man could only chuckle in amusement, obviously not believing the little girl's words. Never has he seen a person fly nor a person's eyes glow. To him, it's all the figment of the child's imagination. Little did he know that not only was it true, stories like these were about to spread across the globe. Little did he know that this was the very start of evil's demise.

Everyone will soon know who she is and of her purpose. But for now, she will remain to be an imperceptible light in this dark society.

"Hold still! You keep wriggling around!

Ezra grumbled under breath as she laid still on the cot as Mia from the Drakos infirmary patched her up. The nurse was less than surprised to see the young Dragon in the doorway, blood seeping out of the multiple minor wounds on her body. Mia was the only one who knew about Ezra's vigilante activities and she's not happy about it. First of all, patching her up every night was tiring and starting to get annoying. Secondly, she cares for her friend and knowing that the sixteen-year old was risking her life out there in the world—literally—worried her. So, she was both equally happy and annoyed that she has this job as her personal doctor.

"So, where did you go this time that you have to sustain these kinds of injuries?" Mia asked as she wrapped a bandage around Ezra's exposed stomach. Her shirt was rolled up, her arms were already coated with some healing paste and her legs were being rested as she laid down on her side.

Ezra hummed as Mia applied more healing paste on her wounds, the stinging warmth spiking along her skin and muscles. "Yemen. There were three siblings there. One's even older than me, but I don't think he realized." She replied absentmindedly.

"Yemen?!" The nurse exclaimed. "Isn't there a terrorist group there?"

Ezra turned over and sat up with an arched eyebrow. "Yeah. So?"

"Oh, you ignorant idiot." Mia could only gape at the young Dragon's stupidity and foolishness. "You're sixteen! A minor and has no combat training." When Ezra made a move to defend herself, the nurse silenced her with one swipe of her hand. "Training with General Haddock doesn't count."

Her face fell and her expression turned sour. "I can handle myself, Mia. Those guys don't have what I have." She argued.

"That's where you're wrong." The nurse shook her head, her arms crossed over her white-coated chest. "In terms of power, you might be overwhelming all of us. But in terms of skills, strength, ability, and even strategy, you're weak. I may even be stronger than you if it weren't fir your powers."

"Your point?"

"My point is..." Mia gritted her teeth, a little bit irritated. "There are people out there that may be stronger than you even with your powers. And once that time comes, you'll panic and I won't be wherever you are to patch you back up."

Ezra sighed out exasperatedly. She hated to admit it but every word she said was absolutely true. She couldn't even go back home without sustaining a wound or injury that she has to hide from her mother. She even had to postpone her sparring training with her because of the possibility that Astrid would find out about her injuries, then it would lead to her finding out about her nightly rescues. It would be a disaster if it does.

Speaking about sparring, Ezra has to admit that she couldn't beat her mother, even with her powers. And she's pretty sure that there are people like her, or even stronger than her out there. There might be a time where she would get more than she bargained for and she would have to face the consequences.

"Fine! I won't go back to Yemen!" The young Dragon cried out in a fit of pique. But when Mia raised an eyebrow at her and smirked, a vein popped in her temple. "I won't go to any other countries where I might get killed."

"Technically, you already are in one but I'll accept that." The nurse shrugged as she went over to a medicine cabinet to get some ibuprofen for Ezra's sore wrist. "You can continue to do your vigilante work but make sure that you'll report where you're going to me. Then I'll decided whether it's safe to go there."

Ezra frowned. "Why aren't you stopping me from continuing whatever I'm doing?" She asked, genuinely curious. But even if she did, Ezra won't just sit back and let her stop her.

Mia held the ibuprofen bottle in her hand, staring at it as if it was see through. "Because of my selfish reasons and my own ignorance." Her voice was soft and wistful, like whisper in the cool wind.

Ezra knew exactly what she was talking about. The very first time she offered Mia to be her personal doctor, she refused to such a thing. But once she explained why, something clicked in the nurse's head. It was strange and abrupt on how Mia changed her mind almost instantly. Although it wasn't enthusiastic nor solemn. It's as if it was expected for her to agree and she had no choice. Like she was both willing and not at the same time.

But when she asked why she agreed, what she got was a shocking revelation;

"I knew your father." Mia replied ruefully. "You might say that I was the first ones to welcome him here"

Ezra frowned but remained silent as the brunette took off her white coat and tied her hair into a messy bun. Donning a simple black shirt and jeans, she walked over to Ezra's side and sat down by one of the chairs next to the beds.

"Because of that, I was one of the few who saw his face before the mask and one of the very few who knew his real name. When he was brought here, in this exact infirmary, he was messed up; both physically and mentally." She started, taking Ezra aback. "He was down a leg, more than fifty deep cuts and wounds in his body, twenty-six burns, blood covering his entire body which belong to his and... other people."

Ezra was absolutely dumbfounded. Of all the things she expected to hear, this was not one of them. She hasn't heard anything about how Hayden actually joined Drakos. She honestly thought that he merely joined because he wanted to. She couldn't be more wrong.

"But I wasn't worried about his physical self. The people who did that to him, they broke him. To the point where he refused to wake up from his coma."

Ezra's forehead creased and her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What happened?"

Mia flashed the young Dragon a scowl, though it wasn't directed at her. "He had to be physically awakened." She spat out. It was evident that it wasn't a pretty memory. "They injected a serum that will basically activate the neurons and start the body back up again like a machine. The first Hayden did when he woke up was scream. He remembered everything. It overwhelmed him. In the end, we had to sedate him."

A humorless smile grew on her lips, cruel to both her story and her emotions. "For one month. One month, I had to listen to him scream for father. His mother... and even General Haddock's name." A self-deprecating laugh escaped her lips. "I was the one in charge of sedating him, every time he woke up."

"It took Shatter to calm him down. In the end, the only way for him to stop tormenting himself with his memories was to convince him that everyone's guilty, until proven innocent. Everyone was an enemy until proven an ally. It's a delusion he quickly broke out of but still lived by that concept. Until he met General Haddock and..." Mia turned her head towards Ezra, where the young Dragon silently gasped at the tears that threatened to fall from the nurse's eyes. "...you."

Ezra's eyes widened as Mia confirmed it with a nod. "He was relatively lighter when you came in. Even before you grew close, he already considered you to be a V.I.P in his world. General Haddock followed after you. I heard from Mr. Lethe that during the Grimmel mission, he was happier than anyone ever seen before. Ms. Boggs confirmed this as well."

The brunette's hands curled up into a fist and gripped the bed's sheets tightly. Her jaw rooted as her eyes sharpened like an eagle and glared down at the bed as if it did something horrible to her.

"But in the end, he only had to experience that happiness for barely a week." Her voice croaked. A single tear ran down the nurse's cheek and dropped down to the bed. "For the longest time, I wanted to see him smile genuinely. It would outmatch every single agonizing memory in my head, just to see him happy." Her knuckles cracked as more tears trickled down her face. "But no. The very reason why he joined us, bit back and murdered him in cold blood. However, I can't do anything because I'm just a nurse. I'm limited to this infirmary."

"That is why..." Mia's form abruptly rose from her seat, the chair sliding backwards. Her gaze shifted to Ezra, who was watching her intently and determinedly. Regardless of the tears streaming down her cheeks, she dropped to her knees and lowered her head. "...please accept my selfish request. Kill those bastards! Eradicate the fucking filth off this world. Show them why they shouldn't exist. Show them the suffering their victims had to endure. I'm sorry for not being the perfect role model and stop you, but even if I had the chance to do this all over again, I still would ask you this. So, please! Avenge him..."

Ezra's simply stared at the kneeling woman in front of her. Albeit she was quite shocked at Mia's bold declaration, she couldn't help but smile at the unbeknownst support. Even if she didn't say that, Ezra still would've gone her way to take vengeance for Hayden. She stood up straight, wiped the tears off her face, and smiled down at the nurse.

"I won't be doing it for you nor for me. I'll be doing it for him and for him only." Ezra said earnestly. "But I promise, I will avenge him. I will make sure that Dad's death isn't in vain. The whole world would feel it. As Dad said, I'll be a light, and show those who are innocent and pure that there is hope for this corrupted world. But as for the filth...

...I'll show them his fury, my fury..."