INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS
CHAPTER XXXV: HANNE

She couldn’t believe herself but it was the only way to protect their mom. Even if she didn’t want this life and this power, she and Nate were magnets of bad individuals since they were young. Then there was her stubbornness not to train. Nate insisted that she needed it but she only went to their training room a couple of times. She wanted to live normally but fate apparently had other plans.

Nate was the first one to leave the car. Hanne hesitated at first but she eventually opened the door. Her mom suddenly grabbed her arm, tears rolled down her cheeks. Hanne whispered ‘I love you’ then closed the door. She knew that even if she wanted to take back her words, she won’t do it. Their mom’s life was at stake. When she heard the car moved away from them, she couldn’t help but bit down a sob. She knew that if she showed her fear, Nate would be distracted. But she also breathed a contented sigh because their mom was far from danger.

However, another reality sunk in. She couldn’t control her power. She would be useless to Nate. When the three men took a step towards them, she and Nate unconsciously took a step back. Her hands clenched when their dangerous auras radiated. She moved near her brother.

“I’m not much help but I’ll try,” she whispered but didn’t take her eyes off from the enemies. She glared at the man she encounter earlier. She despised him for threatening their mom.

“Willing to fight us, eh?” Rudy sneered while the two bulky men behind him laughed.

“Always stay behind me,” Nate instructed without looking at her. She didn’t complain, instead, she stepped backwards until she was a couple feet from Nate.

“How do you want this Ashworth? Or is it Moltentryord?” Rudy grinned at them. The men’s aura radiated that Hanne started trembling. Wait, who is Moltentryord? Nate didn’t comment on it so she stayed silent.

“This is the end. You can’t harass our mom again,” Nate said, his voice was lower than ever.

“You? Defeat us? I don’t think so, young man,” Rudy replied then raised his sword. The other men followed.

She noticed when Nate extended his right arm to his side. Something in his right arm glowed. A large white tattoo appeared on his arm when the light disappeared. He shifted his hand, trying to grasp something. Light glowed on his palm and a black bow took shape. A quiver with several metal arrows appeared on his back, beside his backpack. This was the first time she saw him draw his weapon. It was really unbelievable. She, on the other hand, hadn’t try to draw her weapon since she still hasn’t master her power.

When their opponents moved, Nate grabbed an arrow and placed it on the bow. He shot the arrow but Rudy sliced it into two with his sword.

“Come,” Nate told her ran towards the trees. Hanne didn’t waste time and followed him. The three men were right on their track. It wasn’t long before her legs were starting to ache. Running is not for me! But complaining wouldn’t do them any good. They passed the last row of trees when Nate stopped. They were surrounded by grasses in levelled ground.

“Why did we stop?” Hanne asked between breaths. Her brother turned but his gaze was focused behind her. She quickly turned around when she sensed their opponents’ eyes. She positioned herself not too far beside Nate.

“Surround them. You can do that, right?” Nate said. She knew what he meant but she’s worried if she can manipulate larger and heavier quantities.

“You can do it, Hanne. Feel them, conquer them, and raise them.” She felt warm inside. His words always comfort her despite being a brat to him and to people around them.

She took a deep breath, then released it slowly. She didn’t take her eyes off their opponents who were eyeing them intently. She sensed several of them underground but nothing light or small.

When the three men advanced, she saw Nate shot three arrows. They were so fast that wind materialized around them. They collided with the men’s swords, pushing the arrows. I have to do it now. She raised her arms forward. The ground shook violently under them. When their swords won over the arrows, the ground around them exploded. Pieces of earth flew everywhere and long rusty metals emerged from the holes.

“What are those?” one man shouted. Hanne started breathing heavily when she tried to lift the five metals higher. Heavy… Rudy must have noticed their plan because he ran towards her. She panicked. The hood of the car swat him hard. His body flew and hit the ground near his companions. He hastily stood up then glared at her.

“Do it now,” Nate instructed. She moved the metals so that they created a box around the three men. Metals kept emerging from the ground, making the box thicker and denser. She could hear their swords hitting the iron. Her breathing was still heavy when she put her hands down. Manipulating large and heavy metals exhausted her easily since it was her first time controlling metals besides bullets, arrows, and small tools.

“Are you okay?” Nate eyed her, concerned. She wiped the sweat on her brow with her hand.

“Yes…it was just too much.” She felt dizzy.

Then it happened. Another explosion. This time, it was inside the metallic box. Her eyes widened as the metals flew in different direction. She hadn’t time to react when a rusty hood of a car neared them. She gasped when it stopped few inches before them. Nate.

“Damn it,” he muttered then placed three arrows on his bow. It wasn’t enough. My ability wasn’t enough. Her confidence and concentration wavered.

“Focus Hanne.” She stared at her brother’s back, wondering if they are going to get out alive. She bit her lip, trying to stop the quivering. Right, I should help him.

Their opponents regained their strength and advanced. Hanne slowly raised her shaking hands. The metals followed her command. They rushed towards the men who were running towards them. She evened her breathing so she wouldn’t lose control of the heavy materials. She gritted her teeth as the men kept dodging and breaking them with their swords. She noticed that her brother was already tired from continuous shots, but didn’t stop.

“It ends here!” Rudy shouted a few feet before them. But Hanne didn’t put down her hands. The damaged and broken metals moved to lump together into three life size balls. They dropped on the ground, stopping the men from advancing. Sweat rolled on her brow when the balls slowly rolled forward. Hanne glanced at her trembling hands. She heard the men cursing as they ran away from the rolling lumps of metals.

“Leave Rudy to me.” She nodded as a response to Nate. She manipulated the three balls to chase the other two men while Nate fight their leader. The two men suddenly stopped running then faced the rolling balls. Hanne frowned. What are they going to do? She wanted to wipe her forehead but she didn’t dare move her hands. She watched the two men intently. They held their swords with both hands, getting ready to cut her creation.

With all the energy she can control, she increased the speed of the globes. They moved close together that she couldn’t see the men. A flash of straight lights passed in the middle of the globes. She gasped as the balls broke into several pieces and dropped on the ground. She dropped her hands, already exhausted and drained. Her breathing was heavy and fast, sight became blurry. Her legs trembled, making her drop on her knees.

“Hanne!” she heard Nate shout somewhere on her left. She tried to move her head and legs but to no avail. Too tired… She noticed another flash of light in front of her. She thought that it was her end but it didn’t come.

“Hanne!” A pair of arms circled her shoulder, trying to make her stand up. She rose slowly, putting most of her weight on the person. She blinked several times before her vision cleared. She looked up and her eyes found a pair of dark blue eyes, pink lips, and black hair. Who?!?!? She started to panic but a familiar touch made her turn. On Nate’s usually neat blonde hair hanged leaves and pieces of dirt. Mud on his shirt and pants. His worried gaze was scanning her face and body.

“I’m fine,” she croaked. Her eyes widened when she realized that she was still holding on a stranger’s shoulder. She pushed off from him and hugged Nate. We’re alive.

“Thank you,” he said to the stranger. Her face was on Nate’s chest, listening to his fast heartbeat.

“It’s okay,” the stranger replied. His voice was deeper than Nate’s. “We have to get out of here.”

When she finally turned to him, she noticed his hair wasn’t black but dark grey. He stood a few inches taller than Nate but was thinner. His presence radiated strong energy and confidence. Hanne looked around and found three men motionless on the ground. How?

“Who are you?” she asked him. Her voice was clearer. Her breathing slowed down. Her legs were still trembling so she kept an arm around Nate’s stomach.

“I saw everything earlier, but it’s dangerous to fight near civilians,” he responded without looking at her. His eyes remained on her brother. Hello, I’m down here!

“What happened?” she said instead.

“I’ll tell you what I know once we not in the open.” Again, his eyes were on Nate. Is he acting like I’m not here? Her strength hadn’t return yet so she kept her irritation to herself.

He saved them. This thought only registered in her mind when they entered the forest far from their city. But she knew that they shouldn’t trust him.

I should contact mom. She was sitting on a twisted root of a tree when she tried to grab her phone inside her backpack. Nate sat beside her with his head down on his palms. When he looked up, he gave her a sad smile.

“I’m… glad you’re okay,” he said. She turned to see the stranger standing in front of them. He was looking around, scanning the surrounding. He was in black shirt, jacket, pants, and boots. Too dark…too suspicious… Behind him was a large backpack. After she texted her mom that they are safe, she replied that she’s currently in the office, surrounded by her trusted associates.

“My call isn’t getting through. It must be because of that. He must be with you. Contact me always, ok? Take care. I love you and Nate,” her mom texted. That? Who’s he?

“How did you replace us?” Nate suddenly asked before she could ask her mom. She hid her phone to listen to the conversation. The stranger turned to look at Nate.

“I’m on my way North when I saw those men. I followed them to help you.” His voice was really deep. She thought that it didn’t suit his young face.

“Are you…travelling?” Nate asked. The stranger seemed to hesitate at first before answering.

“Yes. I’m actually looking for someone…people.”

“Who?” The stranger looked away.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell us,” Nate immediately added. “Then why did you help us?”

He looked back, his lips in a thin line. Is he angry?

“I think…we are looking for the same people.” What? The others are on their way to Westward, she remembered her mom’s instruction. Are we…?

“What’s your name?” Hanne interrupted, urging him to look at her. When he did, she thought there was something in the stranger’s dark blue orbs that scared and comforted her at the same time. Who is this guy? Can we trust this guy? There was no doubt, however, that the man was stronger than he looks.

“Storm. Caspar Storm,” he replied. Yes, there are definitely storms in your eyes.