Chapter Two

Back Home

The night was very still, not even the wind disrupted the peace. The group slept calmly, however they would not have, had they known they were being watched. Three strangers lurked within the shadows. Assuming the three companions were sleeping soundly, they began moving towards them. The only noise made, was that of a twig snapping under on of their feet. It was the only mistake they needed to make. Shamira shot straight up on her cot and peered suspiciously into the darkness. She saw nothing, but the snap still echoed in her ears. Seeing nothing she closed her eyes, stuck her nose in the air and sniffed. There was definitely someone out there, more than one actually, she'd confirmed it. Flinging the blanket off of her, wind encircled her just as it had back in earth after fighting Dima. This time though, her clothes changed from the robes to a green leather outfit, which conformed to her body. Once again her hair length extended and her skin became darker. She grew a few inches, but her eyes remained the same. The change took place within a matter of seconds.

Straining her ears she listened for a clue to the strangers positions. Her right hand seemed to be grasping something at her left side, though nothing was visible. She stuck her nose back up and sniffed the air. Now someone was close. She had their scent. Slowly she moved toward one of the strangers. Just before she reached the trees she stopped abruptly. Shamira had been concentrating so hard on the scent, she'd neglected the light sounds behind her. She eyes widened as she quickly spun around just as someone with a hood on charged towards her. They had a sword drawn and she barely dodged the swing. As fast as she could Shamira pulled out her sword to retaliate. As it had done before her sword, unlike her opponents, was glowing. They ran towards each other Shamira's sword raised high in the air. She brought it down fast and hard slicing her opponents arm. He screamed in pain and fell to the ground. Shamira felt a bit of accomplishment.

"Well, that was easy." She said to her fallen enemy.

She walked over to him and removed his hood. She saw his face splattered with his own blood that had come from his arm. Fear flooded her from the inside out. She dropped her sword. Bardia laid at her feet blood-spattered.

"Shamira. Why? Why did you, how?" Bardia sputtered out.

Shamira tried with all might to control her breathing. Her body was shaking uncontrollably.

"Well done, well done darling. I knew it was in you. So did you. It's in your blood." Said another man coming out of the woods.

Shamira jumped at the sound of the man's cold voice. Her face froze when she looked at the man. Her panic changed. Instead she was overwhelmed with a sense of unimaginable anger, faster than before she had her sword back in her hand and charge at the man screaming all the while.

"NOOOOO! NOOO!"

The man barley flinched as she brought her sword down violently. He grabbed her arm in midair and squeezed so hard the sword fell from her grip.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What sort of greeting is that my dear?" He mocked.

He spun her around still gripping tightly on her arm showing no signs of loosening in it. He caressed her long dark hair with his other hand. This seemed to aggravate Shamira even more. Her eyes began to change to a deep blood red. Her body became hot. With all the force she could use she broke her own arm to get out of the man's hold. She screamed in pain and scrambled on the ground to get away from the man. She closed her eyes and as fast as she possibly good she healed her arm. Her anger consumed her. Shamira's sword was at the man's feet, so she got up and attacked with her body full of rage. Her first blow struck his chest and knocked him back, though not nearly as forceful as she had intended it to be. She swung repeatedly without rest striking the man with less force each time. Finally he had enough and grabbed her wrists breaking both.

"Master Kimball!" She screamed in pain. "Master KIMBALL HELP!"

The last man that had been lurking in the shadows appeared. It was Kimball. Instead of the wise look he usually possessed, is face seemed almost dead.

"Yes Shamira? And what would you like me to do? This is in your blood. You know that."

The man smirked down at Shamira's horrified look. He knew now he could let go of her. Her hands fell hard to her sides. She couldn't catch her breath now. Her face was smothered in her broken hands.

"That's right Shamira. No matter what you do. Shamira, Shamira …"

"SHAMIRA! SHAMIRA WAKE UP!" Kimball yelled.

Shamira shot up on her cot. She was soaked with a hot sweat. Nothing had happened, Bardia was standing at her side, Kimball's reassuring hands rested upon her shoulders. She was panted hard and tears were streaming down her cheeks. The one thing that had truly happened, her eyes were the same blood red as the dream.

"Shamira, it's ok it was just a dream." Bardia had started saying.

"Shamira. You were supposed to inform us of any dreams." Kimball stated, though it was with concern.

"No … this … was … I haven't …" Shamira tried to get out a sentence but only managed a word or two between each gasps.

"Sh. Here, eat some of this. It'll help." He said handing her a trife.

Shamira shoved the fruit into her mouth as though she knew that it would help calm her down. For a brief moment her nerves were at ease, which was quickly broken.

"Shamira, what happened?" Kimball asked.

"No, it was nothing, just a dream." Shamira lied.

There had been no point in trying to hide it. Kimball grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back down he placed his hand upon her forehead. Immediately she relived all that she had just dreamed. In a flash everything came rushing back to her and as quickly as it started it ended. Kimball handed her another trife after he retreated his hand.

"How long has this…"

"IT HASN'T!" Shamira yelled before he finished. "THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S HAPPENED SINCE I LEFT! IT WAS NOTHING! JUST BEING BACK HERE! Look, lets please just forget it and get back to sleep. I'm exhausted." She said calming down just a bit.

Pulling the blanket over her head she made it abundantly clear she had no interest in continuing the conversation. Kimball signaled to Bardia it was okay to go back to bed. He hesitated for a minute, but figured it was best if he listened. When it was clear he was in bed inside the tent, Kimball used his staff again. He pointed it at Shamira. A warm feeling came over her body and at this point she felt no need to argue. She was asleep before he made the cot rise up and float into his tent. He glanced around once before making his way back into the tent.