Solana placed Ashwa’s cake proudly on a large plate and handed everyone a huge slice. Even though it wasn’t her purchase, she was proud to have one of Paul’s bestselling cakes on her plates.

But beyond the innocent villagers’ ears, twenty black riders who rode silently, stood on the borders of Vil.

The picnic went well, and at last when everybody went home, to rest.

“Don’t you think tonight’s a bit warmer, Ash? I thought it was supposed to be cold,” Lao said.

“Well, maybe Paul’s cookin’ fresh stuff at night. Trust me, I’ll buy millions of his bread if I have lots of money,” Ashwa laughed, patting her belly. “The stars are bright tonight. I hope tomorrow Tom gets caught eating sweets by our teacher, which he certainly hasn’t!”

“Well then Ash. Goodnight and see ya in the morin’!” Lao yelled, as they neared their homes.

“Bye then!”

After their farewell, Ashwa climbed the worn wooden stairs to her room, plopping onto her tiny bed then pulling the covers up to her chin, without bathing. What does it matter when your full and content? She thought. Then she went to sleep, as the stars unblinking, shone under the moonlight, waiting for the new day.

Little did they know, as the sky darkened, none would wake up in the morning, to be warmed by its blessed day except her.

~

She was dreaming. She could feel it.

Kayla’s cloak was whipped the cold air as she struggled to stand. Her opponent laughed openly, disarming her as easily as if he was breathing. Kayla panted. Then she rose again. The boy in front of her mimicked her breaths, laughing again. Kayla growled.

“You never won Kayla. I did,” the boy said.

“But I have. Always.”

With that, Kayla grabbed his sword by the end, but without harming herself. She twisted and turned, stealing the sword from him. It was then his turn to fall down.

“Y-you used magic!” he wobbled.

“Yes, I did.”

“Against the rules!”

“But you were sneaking at people’s conversation, and I had to stop you. Now I shall erase your memory,” Kayla smiled coldly.

“No! Please don’t do this to me! Please! I wasn’t trying to- “

POP!

The boy sank onto the ground, robes covering his face.

“Hmph. Can’t cover the trace but this would do,” Kayla-who-is-dreaming heard herself say.

Then the dream ended, leaving Kayla’s eyes wide open with shock.. Because dreams in the school was different, and that they had “future dreams”. And Kayla saw that she would hurt her best friend.

~

Fire burned at the walls of Ashwa’s house. She screamed bitterly, as fire blasted off her palm, burning everywhere.

The whole village crumbled down. Everyone’s horrified screams were heard. Lao came, rushing towards her best friend’s house.

“Lao!” Ashwa screamed loudly.

“Ash!” Lao screamed too.

“Ash, get out!” Lao screamed again.

Ashwa, terrified by the flames surrounding her and what she had done, she fell face first down the wooden house.

“ASH!”

She caught Ashwa’s crumpled body and hugged her.

“Let’s go. We will be safe!”

But she fell unconscious, which Lao mistook for death. Lao screamed.

Then all was silent, only the sound of fires was heard.