We left the water and entered the pines, leaving the place I knew behind. The river faded from my vision and I thought I would never see it again. I awoke in it for a reason and needed to know why.

Right now, I was lost in identity and in memory. Hopelessness washed over me as I thought of how I could escape. I was ensnared, trapped, denied freedom and truth. The newcomer stood beside Jonga, not speaking a word. I wanted to know what he was thinking. Though I was unsure if I'd ever know. I had given up my fight, exhausted from a battle I knew I could not win. Instead, I rested against Jonga's back, my legs stagnant by his face.

The sound of men moving the branches broke me from my thoughts. I craned my neck, trying to get a look at where we were going but so far, there wasn't much to see. The clutter of pines and the dark arms of Jonga were in my line of vision hiding the unknown. The newcomer held onto Jonga's spear. He pressed it to the ground, using it as a walking stick. Jonga's breathing was labored. We had been traveling for what appeared to be hours, but time had no concept when lethargic.

"Home," the newcomer finally said.

I jerked my head. A tall and wide, wooden wall stood in the middle of the wood, tearing between the gaps of the trees. It stretched for miles, hiding away what was on the other side.

I jolted as the newcomer tripped, losing his footing.

"Your mind is drifting," Jonga said with a harsh tone. "You need to think about your feet more than what is to come."

"You know me well," he answered.

"Baria expects us to have a keen eye," he declared. "Where is your clarity?"

I looked at the newcomer, earning his gaze. He stared for a moment before returning it to the ground.

"Get yourself together," Jonga spat.

Jonga halted in his steps, standing still. The newcomer did the same, sinking the hilt of the spear into the ground.

"Who goes there!" a gruff voice called out from above.

A shock overwhelmed me. I craned my neck once more, looking to where the voice was coming from. Atop the wall was a man dressed in a suit of silver armor. Absent from his ensemble was a helm. I could see that his complexion was similar to Hona's, only tawny. His eyes looked inky from where I was situated.

"Warriors of Udan," Jonga answered. "Baria's warriors."

The man smiled. "Prove it, boy."

Jonga's back shifted as he took in a deep breath. A thud passed through my ears when he slammed his fist to his chest. "We are Udan!" he shouted, his voice thundering throughout the land. "United as a clan!"

The man on the wall nodded, and stepped over to the black lever. With a strained pull, the portcullis before us lifted, dividing from the ground. On the other side, showed the dilapidated village it was protecting.

From my angle, a building stood in the distance and before us laid a path of stone. After the gate clicked into place, Jonga stepped forward, entering. The newcomer followed. As I tottered back and forth, I watched the branches swayed as if they were waving farewell. The portcullis sealed, echoing in a clank as it hit the ground once more.

As they walked the pathway, I took in my surroundings from atop Jonga's back. Most homes were decrepit, falling apart stone by stone. Others looked as if a natural disaster had struck. They now were sticks on a foundation of dirt. Playing in the dust were a group of malnourished children. Their bones stuck out from under their skin and tattered clothes while wide eyes gleamed. I blinked back tears, heart aching.

These poor children I didn't know looked happy despite the conditions they were in. Smiles appeared on their faces as they ran. Even though I saw smiles, I predicted death was around the corner. Worse, their parents, if they had any, were probably not as well off either.

"Where are we?" I hissed.

Jonga twisted his head and released a snort. "It won't matter once the queen learns what you have done to Hona."

My eyes widened. I stared at the newcomer, matching the name to his face.

Hona.

His face had softened since in the river. He was different from the others here and it showed. Though he helped in my capture, he did not act in hurting me. He accepted me into his arms even though I was called an intruder. He saw things others did not. It was clear to see.

Jonga leaned back. I tilted back, falling from his shoulder. The stony pathway came closer to my face. Closing my eyes, I hit it hard. My arm ached as I rolled over on my side. The stones pricked under my body, reminding me of the river floor. Hot tears caressed down my face, and instead of holding them back, I released them with the eruption of pain. I rolled, trying to stand on my feet, but it was hard with what I was feeling. My calf was swollen, my wrists raw, my entire body intensifying with a burn. Jonga laughed, amused by my pain.

My head lowered and shame veiled me. I craned my neck as I sat up. The children I was observing now had their eyes on me. My teeth gritted hard, grinding, and I thought they had turned into powder. I licked my teeth to make sure they had not, and tried to stand to my feet once more.

I fell to my knees instead of standing tall, my bones quaked at the impact. My head fell further, hanging over the stones. My wrists bled crimson, blood streaking my arms like rivulets. My fingers turned violet, losing circulation. The tears helped ignite my sorrow; sobs echoed out to the skies.

"I hope you think twice before striking someone from Udan," he hissed. "Kaijan." I wasn't sure what a Kaijan was but it didn't sound good.

I looked to Hona, hoping—needing—to see the kindness there. But he was not paying attention. He was staring in the distance, lost in thought. He continued on, ignoring my cries. I wondered if I had not struck him if he would be helping me like he promised.

"Get up!" Jonga said, reaching his hand around my arm. I winced, feeling my legs snap underneath me. "Now! Baria waits for no one!"

I didn't respond. The stench of blood lingered in my nostrils.

Jonga laced his fingers around my binds, pulling hard. I roared out in pain, wincing. After the blur vanished, I saw the amount of blood I was losing and knew in time, if he kept pulling, my hands would be in place of the blood, severed from my body. I imagined them for a moment, eyes widening. I shook my head, causing the image to disappear. Right now, I needed to focus on staying alive.

"Get up!" he shouted again.

I focused all of my energy into my legs and used all the power I had left to stand. My legs ached under me as I stood tall for a second. The blood was seeping down my arms, to my elbows, leaking over my tattered dress and falling to the ground like rain.

"Now walk!" he ordered.

I took one step, my legs wobbling under me. I wasn't sure if it was possible to take another, but I tried, only to fail. Collapsing to the ground, I almost broke my finger as I landed, my hands curling underneath me. I clawed out for help. For anything. For peace. Or even death. At this point, I welcomed it. The pain in my body was too much to endure. I could no longer identify where the rope and my skin met. It was too embedded, melding with me.

Lightness eclipsed my head like a storm cloud, making my vision muddled again. Jonga screamed, but his cruel screams were distant, fading. My sight twinged in colors of the dead. Black and white—voidful and virtuous.

My memory was blank like the colors of the world. The faces I encountered—Jonga and Hona and the man on the wall—were disappearing. Blank and forgotten. Their names went with them. Lost and vanishing like my soul was.

I felt Jonga pick me up, but my body was too numb to know when it hit the ground again.

"Stop it!" I heard. "Stop it now!"

I wondered if that was death calling. Telling me to stop fighting, to stop living and breathing. Just fade away. Like the names and faces. Let my soul be free.

Someone picked me up. The scent of pine was distant. I couldn't remember who it belonged to, but they were familiar. My body formed into theirs like a hand to clay. One, the same, together. In their arms, I found the peace I sought after.

As I was carried, a castle appeared. Shining like a gray gem with black flags flowing through the air. Towers jutted toward the skies, replacing the clouds. My head fell to the stranger's chest and I shut my eyes, imagining what it would be like to be ruler of a castle.

I smiled at the innocent thought in such harrowing times. Then, serenity found me and so did death. 

Mara has entered the land of Udan. Dun, dun, dun. Lots of secrets and drama to come. I hope you are enjoying the story so far! What is your favorite trope in fantasy?  What do you think of Hona and Jonga?