Iron Heart

Chapter 1

Author POV

The forest was dark and alive as swords clashed, figures danced and two opponents were unyielding. Amala knew Iman, her clan's best swordsman, was slowly using losing energy because they were fighting for hours now. He was strong but she was swift and if she learned one thing from the many years him, it was to use it to her advantage. "Tired already, old man?" she baited but his only response was a cunning smirk. The undefended area by his side was an opportunity she took to strike.

But with a suprising jolt, Iman blocked it and used her shock to knock her down. "Never underestimate your opponent. One mistake and your life is over" he said, pointing his sword too closely to her neck "This is a death mission. There's no room for slipping up because Shadows will use your skull to drink wine in an instant" Amala nodded as a weight settled deep in her chest.  The memory of a burning Eclipse Clan was imprinted in her mind. This year marked the fourth year since it happened yet to her, it felt like yesterday. It was a reminder of her promise to her people and one she intended to keep.

It fuelled her raging hatred for the Shadow King and the need to avenge the life he stole from her burned her insides. Sensing the tension within her, Iman offered Amala his hand to help her up even though he knew she did not need it. "I know. I just need a moment to breathe" Amala said and his only response was "Let's get back to camp. Nala and Azrael must be back by now". They walked back their temporary camp in a suffocating silence.

Nala and Azrael were the other two survivors from the clan. They both were Iman's soldiers from before. They took turns training Amala and were the ones who went out in towns to gather supplies and food they needed as they moved around. Nala was the closest thing she had to an elder sister as she was the only child to her parents, Chief Hudson and Leilani. Azrael was more aloof and her relationship with him was distant but she always admired his ability to stay calm and composed in any situation.

When they reached they were greeted with Nala's radiant smile as she handed them their warm dinner. Sometimes she wondered how such a sweet soul could ever be a soldier let alone take a life. "Where's Azrael?" Amala asked noticing his absence. "He went to collect some more firewood. How are you holding up?". She was tempted to tell Nala about the anxiety that suffocated her knowing that it was only a few days before she had to walk into the lion's den. How she missed her parents and wished that this was all a bad dream. And most importantly, how she wanted to break the Shadow king and tear his insides apart. But she knew better and instead settled with "I'm okay, just terribly hungry. I hope there's more of this stew" Nala chuckled as she refilled Amala's bowl.

A few minutes later, Azrael was back and chucked some of the wood into the fire that was starting to fizzle out. They later went into their tents to sleep. In her sleep, Amala was soon pushed into the same nightmare that shattered her world and left her waking up breathless each and every night. And each time feels more real than the last.

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"Lani, you have to go with Amala! The shadow troops are circling in and I've asked Iman to guard you" Her father's voice was loud but it felt distant. It was like she was watching everything from afar. Her mother's cries and how adamant  she was in her decision to not leave the Chief's side. "NO. You can't force me. I will stand with my people and I will fight with you" she turned to Amala, holding her hands and muttering something Amala thought to be a prayer. "The biggest blessing the heavens gave to me was you. Mababu katika mawingu. Go with Iman and we will follow wherever you go. The world can't forget the Eclipse" 

Silent tears fell down Amala's cheeks as her parents enveloped her in an embrace. For a moment, it was just them in their own little bubble and far away from the wrenching cries and bloodshed. Just her and her family until an explosion boomed. And like everything else, the moment was taken away from her. "GO. Take Amala" her father said as Iman grabbed her arm dragging her away from the chaos that was about to ensue. She screamed until her throat felt raw, begging for her parents as an army invaded her home and aimed spears at the hearts of her people.

The death of the Eclipse Clan gave birth to something deep within her. Her grief was overpowered by the turmoil she felt inside and the aching need to destroy everything around her. As she looked back at the macabre scene that was once her heart and home, she made an oath to make the King feel a pain that was greater than hers. To watch him bleed to his death like how she was forced to witness the unravelling of the Eclipse. He would remember the Eclipse and she would make sure of it.

Suddenly, all she felt was fire scorching her skin and the smell of burning flesh suffocating her. 

°.•☆•.°

It was a dream, the same one as every other night and she knew that but that didn't stop Amala from feeling unsettled.