Rise CHAPTER 6 - Another Brick in The Wall (Patreon)

Jiran pulled the cloak’s hood over his head before he steadily walked across the street into an alley between two larger homes.

https://imgur.com/M46W8ho

Once inside the relative cover of shadows, he stole a glance in the direction of all the noise.

The sight of three priests from the Church of the Voice, followed by a throng of villagers, including his mother, caused Jiran to break into a sweat.

Did they come to finish me off? She brought help to make sure dad wouldn't stop her this time… Bitch.

Betrayal burned inside Jiran as his thoughts turned dark. His small fists shook as he clenched them so hard his knuckles popped.

Do I stick around and see what they do, or should I just get out of here to be safe?

What is wrong with me? I’ve never felt so angry before. Is this more of Brandon’s influence? I need someplace to think and figure out my emotions. I can’t have some ghost from another world controlling how I feel.

Having made his choice, Jiran retreated down the alley and into the next street.

He held his side with a limp, pretending to have an injury, as an excuse to keep his face turned down. Whenever he was forced to walk near someone, he turned to look away, not wanting anyone to get a clear look at him.

Luckily, at this time of day, there were relatively few people walking the streets. Most villagers were busy with the myriad tasks of their daily lives.

Jiran only made it a few blocks before hands pushed on his shoulder in a rough shove that sent him tumbling to the ground.

“What’s wrong worm, can’t stand up?” Came the nasally high-pitched voice of a child, followed by braying laughter.

Are you serious? How much bad luck can I have in a single day?

He looked up to find the pack of hunter apprentices standing over him.

Figures, what other idiots would attack someone who looks hurt in the middle of the street? Guess this is what I get for walking around staring at my feet.

Preparing to run and likely be caught and beaten, Jiran slowly stood up. He bent his knees in a crouch, ready to dash in any direction.

Unexpectedly, the group of boys stopped in their tracks with looks of shock crossing their faces. The laughter died on their lips as they got a good look at Jiran’s scarred face.

One of the boys uttered the words “Denless” which shattered the momentary peace. Looks of shock were replaced by disgust and fear, one of the boys even took a step back, as if Jiran’s condition were contagious and would rob him of his precious mana.

The lead boy who had pushed him down was the first to fully recover.

“No wonder your parents returned the meat you stole from Skandor. A denless worm like you is only good for beast bait.”

The other boys found confidence in his words and quickly recovered. Faces that once held disgust and pity turned to scorn and anger. Mumbled ascent backed up the leader's words as they pressed in closer to Jiran, blocking his escape.

“Ooooh Garus, you’re so courageous and strong. Look at you bravely attacking an injured child that can barely stand. You brought so many of your friends to back you up, too. Really, I just can’t imagine how someone could be more impressive than you.” A familiar voice echoed from across the street.

A wiry girl walked up behind the apprentices. Jiran instantly recognized his cousin, Niya.

A season their senior and a head taller, she stood proudly with a hand on her hip and her head held high. Her hawkish features held an imperious glare of disgust as she looked down her nose at the bullies.

Long brown ponytails hung down her chest, and with the bright green eyes typical of his family, she stood out among all the children of the village, just as her father did among the adults.

https://imgur.com/mHwqnt5 

The apprentices, like a flock of geese sensing a predator, turned toward the new arrival.

With a look of pure outrage, Garus responded.

“Stay out of this, Niya. Just because Skandor got back what was stolen doesn’t mean we should let this worm crawl away before he learns his lesson.”

Clearly, the boy found courage using Skandor’s name. He stood more confident with every word. He nodded to himself, finding his own argument to be without flaw.

“I wonder how the Elders would respond if they knew Skandor sent his apprentices to beat up a child. Last I heard, it was against imperial law for sworn hunters to attack imperial citizens. It’s a good thing we don’t have a magistrate, or Skandor might find himself beheaded before the Fathers sleep tonight.”

The wide-eyed look of horror that washed over their faces was priceless. Jiran scoffed, unable to completely hide his mirth. Unlike Jiran, Niya’s giggles were unrestrained as they echoed off the stone and brick houses lining the street.

“Hey that’s not what… Never mind, we’re leaving!” Garus stumbled over his words, unable to muster a retort.

He turned on his heel and retreated with the rest of the boys. Garus turned a hateful glare on Jiran before they rounded a corner and were out of sight.

Letting out a deep sigh, Jiran resumed walking down the street. Niya chased after. Quickly catching up, she walked beside him, glaring at him openly in frustration.

“Since when do you sigh like one of the adults, Jiran? You sound just like dad. Where have you been the last three days? Do you have any idea how worried dad’s been? He even went over to see you last night but uncle Soren wouldn’t let him in. Why aren’t you going to the shop to help dad? Why aren’t you saying anything? Where are you going anyway?”

How am I supposed to answer if you don't pause to take a breath between questions?! Has she always been this annoying?

Yes, she’s definitely always been this annoying. Guess I didn’t realize because she was older and just her talking to me made me happy. Especially after she tiered up a season before me.

Jiran let out another sigh and gave Niya a steady glare with raised eyebrows. His unspoken words were heard loud and clear.

Are you done yet?

“Sorry,” It may have been the new scars covering his face that caused Niya to blush with a mumbled apology.

She then waited patiently for him to respond to her barrage of questions.

“I have no idea where I’m going. I was just looking for a quiet place away from home to sit down and think when those idiots found me,” Niya mouthed the unfamiliar word 'idiots' Jiran had spoken.

Not wanting to interrupt, now that he was finally talking, she held back her question.

“Uncle Micah’s really been worried about me? Did he say anything else last night?”

“No, just that he wanted you back at work because he didn’t have time to run all your errands. He said something about being upset with your father. He made it sound like you would never come back to work. What did that mean? Why wouldn’t you come back to work, Jiran? It’s not like you need mana to carry packages or deliver messages. Your face isn’t that bad, just a bit scary.”

After her second barrage of questions she cringed, thinking he would find her words rude.

To her relief, Jiran didn’t show any further signs of annoyance as he came to a stop, clearly in deep thought.

So, Uncle doesn’t know what happened. Why didn’t they just tell him? Maybe they did and he just didn’t want to worry Niya.

No, I don’t think that's it. Micah has always been firm on his stance against the Church of the Voice. I can clearly remember several times him questioning why dad would put up with mother's antics.

Micah is probably my best bet right now. Hopefully, he’s willing to shelter me until I can figure out how to fix my mana issue.

Do I have any better options?

Living on the streets and trying to learn to hunt on my own would be a death sentence. I don’t even have any arrows yet. Father never taught me to use my bow like he promised. I would be lucky to kill a regular animal, let alone a beast.

With his mind made up, Jiran turned to look fully at Niya.

“Let’s go,” He then promptly turned towards Uncle Micah’s shop and started walking.

Jiran wasted no time now that a path forward had been decided. His quick and confident steps had the taller girl scrambling to keep up.

After the previous blunder, Jiran no longer let down his guard while walking the streets. Due to his new vigilance, he noticed every time Niya stole a quick glance his way. Her furrowed brows made it obvious there was something bothering her.

“Out with it, Niya. What’s on your mind?” Once again the girl mouthed the strange turn of phrase.

“On your mind?” Her confusion did not stop her insatiable need to ask more questions.

“Why are you acting so weird?” she mumbled while kicking at a pebble with a downturned face.

“What happened to you? Where did you get all those scars? Does it have something to do with what those… idiots were saying? Are you really denless?”

Her words came out in a tumble, except for the awkwardly pronounced, idiot. After stumbling over the unfamiliar term, she glanced at him to see if he would give any indication she used it correctly.

Jiran nodded at her and responded.

“Yeah, something went wrong when I was Tiering up. In the middle of my body rebuilding itself, all my mana got sucked out of me. It’s hard to explain, I know where it went, but I don’t know why, and I can’t access it at all.”

Trying not to get depressed, Jiran pushed his thoughts in a more positive direction.

“Thanks for helping me with Garus back there. They probably would have beaten me pretty badly. Without my mana, I’m really weak right now.” The honest and straightforward apology left Niya flustered.

Don’t tell me she’s weak to praise, too? Could her personality be any more obvious?

The thought caused his first real laugh of the day to escape his lips.

Niya puffed out her cheeks in an adorable pout at his laughter. She stomped along behind him as they walked the last few blocks in silence.

An imposing figure stood outside Micah’s shop.

When Jiran and Niya approached him, and their destination became clear, the figure turned its full attention to them.

"You, children, harken to me."

https://imgur.com/LyTe7n1