Zera_Dawn Of The Redborn

by Lorenzo Lionheart

  When he arrived, he didn’t find Nova, but he did find Kas sitting there with a lady friend. When Kas noticed him walking in, he jumped up out of his seat and ran towards Bakari.

  “What the hell man? Where have you been? Everyone's been looking for you!” Kas squeezed Bakari and lifted him up in the air.

  AiLeen gave Bakari a look. “Remember, keep any kind of physical activities to a minimal, Bakari,” she reminded him in his ear.

  “Who’s your friend?” Kas looked at Bakari as AiLeen was whispering.

  “Oh this is AiLeen and, AiLeen, this is my friend Kas.” Bakari introduced the two.

  “Nice to meet you!” AiLeen said, dramatic as usual.

  “Nice to meet you too, ma’am.” Kas bowed his head and tried to kiss her hand.

  “Flattery will get you everywhere, young man.” AiLeen flirted.

  “Well, aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?” Bakari said, smiling and peeking over to see the lady sitting at the table, who was still looking at them.

  “Oh yeah, this is Robin. I met her that day I went to the gym when you disappeared on me!” Kas said as he tried to introduce the slow-moving Robin.

  “Hey guys! I’m Robin, nice to meet you.” She finally moved from the table.

  “Hey nice to meet you, I’m Bakari and this is AiLeen.” Bakari shook Robin’s hand.

  “Let's talk while we let the ladies talk.” Kas said, putting his arm around Bakari and walking towards the cafe counter. “Man, I can’t believe you’ve been missing for more then a week. I almost went crazy. Your mom said you were fine though, then she disappeared, and I haven’t seen her since.” Kas explained. “So what have you gotten yourself into? Something's different about you right now…. I can’t explain it but there is definitely something different about you. I just have to put my finger on it.” Kas laughed out loud, but he was being serious.

  “I’m still me, but you may be right about getting myself caught up in something. That may be a discussion for another time. I can’t really talk about it right now, but I promise I will tell you soon. While I’m here, have you seen Nova? I also haven’t talked to her in a while either, and I’m sure she’s probably flipping out.” Bakari said, hunching his shoulders.

  “She’s actually supposed to be on her way here. Her and Luciana have been coming here almost every day now. Robin has me coming here too. She said that this is the spot to be in town, but I haven’t noticed it yet. It's too calm for me at the moment you know I prefer a little bit more fast-paced action.” Kas smirked.

  “I can only imagine.” Bakari laughed a bit, glancing out of the corner of his eye to see AiLeen awkwardly trying to avoid contact with Robin. “So you and this Robin girl…” he trailed off.

  “I don’t know what it is, and listen to this. I didn’t even have to talk to her first. She saw me lifting and getting them gains, and she came up to me wanting to talk to me.” Kas threw his hands up. “What can I say? I have that effect on some people.”

  “So, you still didn’t answer the question. Are you and her being serious, or….? I mean, what are you going to do with her?” Bakari asked.

  “I’m still thinking about it, but don’t worry about me. I won’t get into a relationship until you and Nova start taking things seriously.” Kas said without laughing.

  “What do me and Nova have to do with you and Robin?” Bakari asked, letting Kas get under his skin.

  “Well, since Robin is just my friend, I guess I can’t go further than that right? According to you and I quote ‘Nova is just a friend, that’s all.’” Kas said, throwing up air quotes. “So until my bro gets a girlfriend, I guess I'm going to be single too.”

  Bakari just laughed on the inside. Kas knew how to press his buttons. “Whatever you say, I guess you’ll be single forever because Nova and I really are just friends. Why do you want us to be something more?” he asked.

  “Why do you want to keep lying to yourself? I talked to some of your friends and they all know you and Nova are a match made in heaven.” Kas laughed.

  Nova walked in as he was laughing. “Annnnd speak of the devil.” Kas shouted getting some of the customers’ attention, as well as Nova’s. She finally noticed why he said that when she saw Bakari sitting in a chair next to Kas. “Bakari!” She shouted walking right pass AiLeen and Robin who were having an awkward discussion.

  “Where have you been?” She said, hugging Bakari, which earned her a look from a now-agitated AiLeen.

  “I SAID LIMIT IT!” she yelled at Bakari from across the room. “Never listens, that one.” She mumbled to herself, which earned her a confused look from Robin.

  Bakari kept hugging Nova despite AiLeen warning until she moved her umbrella from her shoulder and touched the tip of the umbrellla, then pointed her umbrella at him. Bakari took it as her saying that she will send them back if he keeps touching people. He heeded the warning, and tried to keep his distance from his friends as they conversed, catching up on everything that happened, and even wiping Nova’s eyes for her as she cried.

  “I will be okay guys. You have nothing to worry about. I just have to go away with Axyl for a bit more, then I will fill you guys in.” He mumbled to the both of them. “As long as you guys stay safe, then I will be safe.”

  “I’m sure we will be fine, well at least I will. I don’t know about lover boy over here. He’s been at her heels since I’ve first seen them.” Nova said.

  “You sound a little jealous cause you don’t have anyone to put on your heels for, is that what it is?” Kas had a smirk on his face as he picked on Nova, who wasn’t commenting on his jokes because she knew it would lead to a very long discussion about nothing but insults. “Where are you staying now anyways, Bakari?” Nova asked.

  “Well, to be quite honest, I don’t really know exactly, but I know I am safe.” Bakari explained.

  Robin walked back over to the three and started whispering in Kas’s ear.

  “Ah, yeah, he was there when I got into a fight with those assholes in the costumes. My notion still stands that if I find them I will fight them, no questions asked.” Kas balled up his fist, laughing.

  “So what did you think about those guys in the costumes, Bakari?” Robin asked.

  This made Bakari suspicious. Why would she bring up the party at a time like this? Then it clicked in his mind that Kas said he met her right after that incident which was right after he had possibly seen the Hunters, Shara, Ericka and maybe Jace. Did the hunters put this Robin girl on my friend? I need to tread lightly with this. He thought to himself, quickly trying to put the words together.

  “I think it was just some drunk people trying to pick on us. Or someone playing a prank that went way too far,” he said, trying to put on his best poker face. Robin could see that he didn’t quite trust her and wasn’t going to give her any of his real opinions.

  “Oh, yeah, I don’t know why anyone would want to start trouble at your graduation party. Would you have any idea why someone would want to start fights at your graduation party?”

  Bakari knew she was digging so now he had to test his theory on who she was. “No I don’t know anyone, but those guys were crazy. I already talked to Ericka about it,” he lied.

  The look on her face was different because she didn’t know if Bakari was actually talking about the Hunter or someone else.

  “Ericka?” She finally got the words out. “Ericka knows that you know?”

  Bakari had struck a chord.

  “Enough about that fight. That's all everyone ever talks about these days.” Nova interrupted.

  “Oh I’m sorry. I did invade on your conversation, but, Kas, I do need to run. Meet up later?” she asked him with a smile on her face.

  “Sure thing, I’ll be here talking to Bakari.” Kas replied while giving her a hug.

  Robin walked away quickly, not looking back at Kas or anyone for that matter. She moved so quickly anyone looking would think she was trying to briskly outwalk someone. AiLeen ran into her
as she walked away. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

  Robin didn’t respond as she continued hurrying out of the door.

  “What's her problem?” AiLeen asked as she walked up to Kas, Bakari, and Nova who were conversing.

  “A bad case of Kas, probably.” Nova answered.

  “Bakari, can I talk to you for a moment?” AiLeen said, yanking on his shirt trying to walk him away from his friends.

  “What's wrong? And I thought you said no contact, yet you bumped Robin and you’re yanking on me,” he responded.

  “We may have to wrap this up immediately and get out of sight so I can take us back.”

  “Whats wrong?” Bakari asked.

  “Just something seems off, and that Robin girl is for sure a Hunter. I put a tracking seed on her though she may find it quickly when she gets to her headquarters.”

  “Wait, how did you know that?” Bakari was very curious why she was withholding information.

  “Well, when I was trying to stop her from touching me, I saw her contacter. It’s a standard device for Hunters, and seeing that she was in a rush to get out of here, she's almost guaranteed to come back with more people if she got a whiff of my spell. She will know I'm a Mage, and Mages are outlawed in this region.”

  “Hey guys i have to cut this meeting short. Something very important came up and I have to leave like now.” He tried to explain, but they were being difficult and not accepting that he had to leave.

  Meanwhile AiLeen started covering her eyes with a scarf. “Incoming in thirty seconds” she mumbled so that only Bakari could hear her.

  It was about to get bad really fast. Four Hunters walked in through the door dressed in their normal grey hooded attire.

  “Everyone should get out of here immediately.” One of them said, an edge to their voice. No one listened as they all just stood there until Bakari tried to walk past them. “Everyone but you three.” She said, pointing at Nova, Kas, and Bakari.

  When no one moved to get out of the cafe, one of the four hunters shot a loud weapon in the air forcing people to panic and run out of the building. Bakari turned around to say something to AiLeen but she wasn’t anywhere to be found.

  “You.” One of the Hunters pointed at Bakari. “Are you using magick? Your body signature is faint. How are you here?”

  Bakari didn’t answer. Listening carefully to the voice, he realized he knew who this was. It was Ericka again. He said nothing to her. One of them started whispering to her, which caused her to look around the cafe.

  “Where’s the witch?” Ericka asked.

  Bakari still said nothing, but Kas finally spoke up. “My friend isn’t a witch so you can all take your asses back to whatever convention you just came from.” He laughed.

  Ericka didn’t find it funny. she walked up and smacked him in the face.

  “What the hell? Why?” he said, still smiling.

  “There's no need for that!” Nova cut in, standing in front of Kas and sticking up for him.

  “Spray the gas.” Ericka had no remorse in her voice.

  “They are civilians” another Hunter tried to tell Ericka.

  That Hunter sounded like Lotus, the one who had helped Bakari back at the party. She seemed as if she was trying to help Bakari again.

  “Well, if they’re witches, they shouldn’t be here anyways, and if not they won’t be hurt, now don’t argue with my orders anymore.” She snapped sharply. “Now, spray the gas!”

  Two of the other hunters, who Bakari assumed were Jace and Robin, both pulled canisters out of their hoods and tossed them up in the air. Smoke immediately started flowing through the room. He could finally place AiLeen with the sound of her cough. His keen instincts were being honed when he was both in Vakin form and his regular form. The spray was affecting her badly.

  “There's no one here! Just some young folks.” Kas finally spoke up to the Hunter. “Leave us alone and go back where ever you came.”

  “Well if there is no witch here, we will know soon enough when we drain out the witch’s ability to hold magick in this spray.”

  Neither Kas or Nova wanted to say anything, but they both knew there was another person there. They stared at Bakari, who looked like he was getting nervous. AiLeen reappeared, no longer holding an umbrella. She mumbled quicker than Bakari had ever heard her mumble before, emitting her light and knocking all four of the Hunters back.

  “We have to go now!” she yelled at Bakari, who in turned grabbed Kas’ and Nova’s hands and ran with them while AiLeen led the way.

  “I know you guys are wondering what's going on, but ask questions later. As of right now, run!” Bakari said to them as he ran out the back of the cafe and into the trees. He could hear the Hunters following in the far distance.

  “Faster, they’re catching up!”

  Both Nova and Kas looked back, not seeing anything, and then looked at each other in confusion. AiLeen stopped dead in her tracks. “This is bad, I have to take us back now. There are more people coming, and this time they aren’t Hunters.” AiLeen said.

  Bakari sensed other people but he didn’t know who they were and if they were coming for them. Then the trees started moving slowing and a horde of Redborn appeared in front of them standing still, there was one man in front of them all, leading the way. Bakari didn’t know why, but this man struck fear in his heart.

  “Droga…” AiLeen mumbled, emitting her light preparing for battle. “Bakari, you are my priority. Your friends will be safe with the Hunters. I can’t take them back with us. I only have small portions of mana left and, since we aren’t really here physically, we can’t help them to our fullest extent.”

  “Long time, AiLeen.” Droga said in a low edgy voice with a smile on his face, pacing back and forth in front of his horde. “Follow the girl, and you’ll get the guy.” He continued when he looked up and saw Hunters behind AiLeen, keeping their distance. “I see you have company.” He nodded, pointing to the Hunters.

  AiLeen stayed silent, trying to formulate a plan.

  “What are our options?” Bakari asked AiLeen.

  “I need time…” She started chanting in a low murmur.

  A Hunter jumped in between Bakari’s group and the Redborn. “You will leave these lands, or commit an act of war.” Ericka said to Droga.

  “These Hunters, you give them an ounce of power and they think they run everything.” Droga was still walking back and forth, throwing his hands in the air. “Young one, if you leave now I’ll let you live.” He said more seriously. “This is no business of yours.”

  Bakari just looked at them, trying to come up with something, but he kept drawing blanks. AiLeen’s low chanting wasn’t helping him either. When Droga threatened her, the other three Hunters came out and stood by her side. “Backup’s coming.” Jace confirmed.

  “Stand ready.” Ericka told her Hunters. “There are still innocents here that I cannot and will not allow to be caught up in this.” She said to Droga, drawing her blade.

  Droga took a deep breath. “Okay.” He smiled. “Kill them all.” He stood there while the horde ran towards the Hunters, who were bracing themselves.

  They began fighting profusely in the forest, claws and blades clanking, blood splattering everywhere. Another Hunter appeared behind Bakari. He turned to defend himself but the Hunter gave no indication that he or she was a enemy. The hunter had on a white-hooded robe unlike the others who had grey hooded robes. “You must get out of here, AiLeen, I will take the friends. How much more time do you need until you can get him out of here?” The Hunter asked in a muffled voice. AiLeen, still chanting in her low voice, held up two fingers, indicating that she needed two more minutes. The Hunter nodded, drawing two modified pickaxes from her robe. “You shall have your two minutes. The rest of you, stay down.” The Hunter immediately went into action when the Redborn began running towards Bakari and their group. The Hunter was merciless in her form, and her slashes differed from the other Hunters. Her’s were pure
; one slash one kill. Droga noticed this and was tired of watching his people fall and fail. He then got involved. He ran up to Ericka and her Hunters, still in human form, knocking them down left and right. He alone was too much for them. Then he began running up to the Hunter in front of Bakari and his group, but she was ready. He stopped short, pulling out his crescent blade. “I know you…” He trailed off, looking back and forth between her and Bakari and his group. “This will be fun,” he said as he charged her.

  Their blades clashed relentlessly. “I see you come well advertised.” He smiled as he stepped back, and charged her again. “You’re not as weak, I see.”

  Droga stepped back, steam coming from his body. “I’m getting excited.”

  “AiLeen, this is getting bad. I need you to hurry so I can get them out of here.” The Hunter said as she looked back, noticing the Hunter’s backup coming in the distance.

  “I am ready!” AiLeen finally spoke. “Come closer, Bakari. They will be safe with her.”

  “You guys be safe! Please protect them, miss.” Bakari said to the Hunter.

  “They are safer with her than us.” AiLeen said.

  “Now!” Droga yelled as he kept the Hunter busy. A Redborn grabbed Nova and jumped away. The Hunter and the group behind her all shouted as Nova was swept up. “Go! Now!.” The Hunter commanded. AiLeen listened, flashing them out immediately.

  “No! Go back!” Bakari was in pain, screaming as they flashed back, not noticing his surroundings.

  “What is this?” AiLeen sounded very angry as she noticed Axyl fighting off Crocs at the cave entrance.

  “Nice of you to finally come back.” Axyl sounded winded.

  AiLeen walked up to the fire, and took it off its root, placing it the crystal of her staff. She yelled some words and her staff started flashing so bright that Bakari had to close his eyes. “MAY MY ENEMIES BE GONE!” The light expanded throughout the caves and even the mountains, making a vortex and sucking the enemies away. AiLeen fell down as soon as she released the spell and the cave went dark without its flame.