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My Destiny

Five years later…

My feet moved in a rhythm as I whirled around. The blade I held whistled through the air as I brought it down on the practice dummy. The dummy was sliced in half, and I stepped back, getting ready to do a whole sequence of moves.

I went through this training everyday, to keep in top form. My schedule went like this: before breakfast, practice; after breakfast, study of new swords, then lunch. After lunch, rest, and practice. Then, meditation in my room, to relax. Or if there was a meeting, I would join it. After that, dinner. Then, practice some more, and sleep. I hardly had time to think, let alone see anyone, and that suited me fine.

I ran through the sequence of flips, sword thrusts, dodges, and ended by slamming my sword down through the dummy. It gave me a sad look as I slowed my breathing. Someone started to clap. I whirled around. It was Thor.

I immediately thought how handsome he looked in his cloak, then cursed to myself. I wish I could say that I was not attracted to him, but I was, even if that was not what his mother wanted from me. No one could know. If I told someone, they'll tell Tiz, and Tiz'll tell Thor. Then Thor would probably treat me like he treated the other women who fell for him, and that was with polite coolness. I didn't want to lose his friendship. I adverted my eyes. "What do you want?"

"Just came to watch," he replied, eyes twinkling. I suspected that he knew that I could not bear to look at him in the eye, even if he didn't know the reason. "You always seem to be here."

I shrugged. "Been stalking me, have you?"

"Maybe." And he smiled. I looked away. "Well, you can stop doing that," I told him shortly. Not for the first time, I wished that he wasn't so handsome.

"You're stressing yourself out, Zia," he told me in a soft voice, stepping so that he and I were facing each other. I swallowed. "And who cares?" I shot back.

"I do." His eyes searched mine and he took my hand. "Sit for a while, and relax." We sat on the snow together, and I reminded myself that he was only caring because we were friends. And I knew my destiny. I was not meant to be married, to have child. I was meant to live the life of a person without another. Yet, that did not stop me from loving him.

I didn't realize until then I was so tired. I sighed, and shivered. Now that I wasn't moving, and didn't have a cloak, I realized how cold it was. Thor opened his arms, and, after a moment's hesitation, I slipped into them. He was so warm. I started to shut my eyes.

……………………….

She had fallen asleep in his arms. He smiled down at her, brushing back a lock of red hair from her face. She was a good friend and protector. He had always wondered why she kept coming here. To hide from something? No, she was stronger than that. To think? He doubted it. She was constantly moving about here, so there would be no time to think. To stop herself thinking? Yes, that could be it. But from what?

He looked at her again, and saw that she was smiling. She must be having a good dream. He sighed, and picked her up. He would have to carry her back.

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I opened my eyes slowly. I was having such a wonderful dream. Then, I remembered what happened. I shot up. I was with Thor. Was it all part of another dream? But I saw my sword and that it was still cold, iced over.

Then I heard someone breathing next to me. I turned my head and saw Thor, sleeping on a chair. He opened his eyes slowly. "Hey, sleepy head," he said, yawning.

"Back at you," I responded. "Why aren't you sleeping in your own bed?"

"Oh, Tiz told me to wait here for you to wake up," he replied lightly. "I guess I fell asleep. Very catching. Now come on. Put on your cloak. We're supposed to meet a messenger."

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Tiz was talking to a man from the Night Ring. Thor put up his hood, and walked down. I heard the man gasp, "You're Second?"

"What's going on here?" Thor asked, reaching Tiz. I stepped beside him.

"Silver Hawk!" The man looked like he was going to pass out. "And the Phoenix!"

Over the years, I had gained control over the 'powers' I had. It turned out that I was a half-Phoenix. Third told me that I probably got it from my mom. Whoever she was. Or whatever. So that was what the other Rings called me. The Phoenix.

"I repeat, what's going on?" Thor said again, but the man's eyelids fluttered, and he fainted.

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Two days ago…

"You know, Zia, you're fifteen," Tiz told me.

"So?"

"And you haven't got a husband."

"There's no one I want." Except for Thor, but you've taken him. Anyways, I have to stay single.

"I'm sure there is."

I sighed. We went through this conversation every dinner, even though Thor and Third were with us. "Tiz, I don't want to get married, alright?" Thor and Third broke off their conversation to watch us.

"No. Zia, you have to get a baby! What would you do when the rest of the women get them?" Tiz stared at me.

"What I always do everyday," I replied. I felt Thor's gaze on me, and narrowed my eyes. "Why do you want to tell me what to do?" I demanded to Tiz. She blinked. "Zia, think rationally. Your children will be strong–"

"And willful," Third put in.

"– and they'll be a whole new generation! The people here will be stronger–"

"Stop it!" I cut her off, jumping up. "Whatever you want to do, do it yourself! I'm not getting married!" With that, I ran off, trying not to cry.

I reached a deserted land and sat down, only then allowing the tears to slip down my cheeks. Whatever I love, I couldn't get. Not my mother, not my father, not even Thor! Oh, why did life have to be so unfair?

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"Zia? Zia, are you okay?" Thor's voice pierced through my thoughts. I blinked and shook my head, back in the present. "Yes, I am fine." I looked down at the plate of food in front of me. I wasn't hungry.

"Zia," Tiz said hesitantly. "Thor, Third and I have been talking. Tomorrow, we're all going to go with you to pick a husband in all the other rings…"

"No," I said firmly. "There will be no one I want, I'm sure."

Thor stared at me. "How do you know?"

Because the only one I want is here! My mind screamed. Out loud, I said, "I just know."

Third leaned forward. "It's not good for a young woman like you to stay away from men."

"Like how Chen is staying away from you?" I shot back, standing up. "I'm going out." I grabbed my cloak and my sword before leaving. How dare they decide what was best for me?

I walked long and far, seething, thinking… and then, I didn't know where I was. Then, someone grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth to muffle a scream. He whacked me on the head, and all was dark.

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