As I leaned closer, I compared my bare wrist to hers.My world collapsed around me as soon as I did.I couldn't think straight.I couldn't believe that things had come to this after all these years.

The distinctive green was visible to me even in the dim light.She owned it.The plague abruptly turned in the direction of the farm just seconds before the flame-encased object was to hit.It's coming, warned Alex.His father increased his speed, but it was in vain.There was no way to escape it.The object's heat burned their skin as they were forced into a crouch as it flew inches above them.

Then it was finished in the same short amount of time as it began.The object changed its course once more and flew straight up until it was far above the clouds and out of sight.

They both stood looking up with a mix of fear and amazement as they let Alex down.Which one was it?Alex inquired.

As if on cue, the sky burst into light as hundreds of objects entered the atmosphere, each engulfed in flames and leaving long tongues of fire behind them.They were led by a massive object with a trail of black flame that appeared to both emit and absorb light simultaneously.

His father once more picked him up and fled.Alex could only come up with one response to the situation:They were being targeted.From whom, then?Or what source?

I have no recollection of scaling the tree.I also don't recall leaving the camp and going through the trees.For the first few seconds, all I can remember is how I felt.

Numb.

Lost.

My disbelief could only consume my thoughts.How could this be taking place?Why was this taking place?

I cursed every god I could think of, both the Creator and the Old Gods.The Destroyer was cursed by me.Fate I cursed.What good had I ever received from them?Why would they permit this to occur if they were truly omnipotent?

I wept and clenched my fists as I fell to my knees and hung my head.When my parents were dying, I was once more a thirteen-year-old boy who was crying.When I realized that I would have to bury my sister in a few days, I let out all the fear, rage, and sadness I had hidden away.

It would be harder for Evan to die than for my parents.I still had Evan to live for, fight for, and be strong for when they passed away.We'd been so occupied with attempting to endure those initial not many months after their demises that I'd had brief period to harp on the loathsomeness, all things considered,Now, however, there would be nothing left after Evan left.There were no reassurances, jokes, or smiles.Nothing.

I remained in that position for a considerable amount of time before my walls rose again to contain my feelings and halt the torrent of tears.I could think once more when they were secure behind the thick granite walls I had constructed in my mind.Why was this taking place?

It wasn't a cosmic question about fate, gods, or why good people get bad things.Instead, it was a query regarding the circumstances surrounding Evan's initial infection with the plague.It had come too quickly.What was the connection between her scream and fainting?What was she covering up?

I could get answers in two places:Evan or the patch of redberriesI left the berry patch because I wasn't ready to go back and see Evan that way.Naturally, returning to the patch, where Evan most likely contracted the plague, posed some risk.However, I had already escaped the plague, so the likelihood of contracting it once more was low.

Despite this, it smelled like a trap.Who knew what else could have happened there if Evan had contracted the plague there.I had, however, learned one thing from survival.Protection never came from ignorance.It was preferable to learn more about something dangerous than to wait for disaster to strike.

I stood and made my way through the forest to the crimsonberry patch, wiping away the remnants of my tears.I prepared myself by grabbing the hilt of my dagger as I walked.

I was deep in thought—or perhaps it was the lack of thought—and the journey flew by quickly.Regardless, I was quickly removing the final wall of foliage that stood in the way of getting to the berry patch.

I could find nothing.

Where the crimsonberry bushes ought to have been, there was only grass.Evan's shattered berries had all vanished, too.It wasn't like the bushes had been removed by someone;There had been absolutely no disturbance to the ground.It appeared as though the patch had never existed at all.

To determine whether I was in the right place, I spun around in a circle.Yet I was.This area of the forest was completely familiar to me.There was no mixing up it.

But how then?What had transpired here in the name of the Destroyer's Infernal Pit?

There was only one reason for it.

Magic.

I drew my knife while kneeling, prepared for anything.It was beginning to resemble a trap more and more.However, that continued to make no sense.We had been foraging in this berry patch ever since I discovered it shortly after entering the forest.Why had it only sprung now, if it had been a trap?There were numerous inquiries, but no responses.

My survival in the forest sharpened my senses, which picked up nothing unusual.In the hope of finding answers, I cautiously made my way to the center of the patch where Evan had fainted.

Even though I didn't notice anything, that didn't mean there wasn't anything.I got down on my knees and searched the grass and dirt with my fingers for anything.My hands brushed over something cold and metallic.A ring.I displayed it in the moonlight.

The silver ring had a large, transparent diamond set in it.The diamond was surrounded by delicately engraved angel wings that wrapped around the silver band.Unique was the ring.It was unlike anything else I had ever seen.And I was aware of it.

Why did I forget?I could easily picture the djinn who was wearing it.His pale light hair and his dark silks and cowhides.My most vivid memory was of his black eyes, which sparkled like diamonds set in a fire.There was no question about it.Arcaine, the djinn's leader, owned this ring.the one who killed my family.

I gripped my dagger so that the blade was pointing downwards, ready to stab at anything that moved, my breath catching in my lungs and my body sweating. Standing straight up, I was ready to stab.Did he remain here?I had often dreamed of killing him and how happy I would be when he died.I was afraid, but deep down I knew I couldn't compete with him.

I couldn't help but wonder why he was here at the same time.Why now, three years later?

I slowly made my way back the way I'd come.On the off chance that Arcaine truly was here, I needed to return to Evan.

My entire body was on edge as a dried branch snapped under my foot and I jumped.

I became more certain that Arcaine was gone the closer I got to the forest's cover.He wouldn't have any reason to run away like a common burglar with his power.But I wasn't going to make any assumptions about my enemy.A djinni's twisted plans and thoughts were unknown to anyone.

I ran once I reached the clearing's edge, where the berry patch used to be.I needed to return to Evan.I had to safeguard her.

Crashing through bushes and weeds, ignoring the pain in my legs.I broke into our camp and dashed up Evan's tree at full speed to gently shake her by the shoulders. It was a short run.Evan.Wake up, Evan!”

“What…?”She said it in a haze.Her eyes shuddered open and zeroed in on me in disarray.

"Evan, what exactly took place today?"

"I told you.A bird . . .”

The ring that I was still holding in my hand was held up by me.She drew back in fear and recognition, as if it were the Destroyer's own ring, and immediately ceased speaking.It could have easily been.

She exhaled.I wanted you to not be concerned about me.I thought you would be less depressed the longer you didn't know I had the plague.

My expression and voice softened.You were attempting to safeguard me?”I laughed bitterly and sarcastically.You have known since you fainted, don't you think?

Evan gave a nod.At first, I guessed, but later, it was pretty clear.”She struggled to get up.The paralysis that was already beginning to take over her body was weak.How . . .how much time do you think I have left?”

I knew it wouldn't be fair if I gave her an estimate that was too optimistic.The truth was her right.a few days, probably.”

She sadly smiled.Really?There doesn't appear to be much room for a "take."I will at least see my parents once more.

I couldn't help but smile despite the seriousness of the situation.I wouldn't be able to survive without her unbeatable and upbeat attitude.My eyes started to water as unintentional and unwelcome thoughts of what life would be like without her overwhelmed me.

She reached out and grabbed my hand.Do you recall how content and carefree the other children our age were always?

I wondered what she was getting at as I nodded.We had never been a part of the group.Most of them weren't given many responsibilities as children of innkeepers or shop owners until they were older.After completing their morning chores, they were able to play the remainder of the day.We didn't have any of that as the children of a farmer.We were either bustling aiding on the ranch or occupied with the examples and homework our mom gave us.Life was cheerful, yet it was a great deal of difficult work.