CHAPTER I-Soul of Flames: Ifrit

Part V - Escape

"How long has it been? Ten, eleven years?" the fat man asked Jax.

"It's been ten years, three months and twelve days, to be exact," replied Jax.

"Has it? It surely doesn't feel that way, how time flies, Jax!"

"It is and it does, Abane, last time i say ya, you were still an underling cleaning the Emporer's shoes," Jax agreed. "Oh wait! You still are! Hahaha..."

"Why you little-" Abane lunged at Jax with sword his in hand.

Xeno stopped him in his path and pushed him aside before he could get near to Jax. But the moment he did that, he knew it was a bad idea when he felt sharp points stabbing into his neck.

"No, it's okay," Abane said as he got to his feet. "Forgive me, I forget my manners sometimes," he said as though nothing has happend. His calm and mocking manner was rubbing against Xeno the wrong way.

"Lower your weapons, we don't want word to spread that the army is beating up children, no?"

The soldiers lowered their lances but remained ready to strike.

"Now, as I was saying before my temper got the better of me, hasn't it been a while, Jax?" he continued without stopping, "I still remember the day we last met." He added with a smile, "I'm sure you do too."

As Abane con tinued his recollection, Jax whispered quietly to Xeno, "listen, take the soul and flee, you know what to do."

"What about you?" asked Xeno.

"No need to worry about me, I'm dying as it is. Might as well go down with a fight."

"Sure you can handle them?"

"You know I do."

"Hmph, proud as always, even on your deathbed."

"Hey! Are you two listening?" Abane interrupted their muted conversation.

"Yeah, sure, you were talkin about Zhuoon's face when he died by your blade, right?" Jax answered.

"huh, so you were listening, that's good," Abane replied, satisfied. "You should've seen the look on his face when he found out I betrayed him, it was hilarious!" he went on.

Jax whispered to Xeno, "ready?"

"Yeah."

Jax gave a yell, got to his feet and held Abane's sword in his hand before anyone could react. Xeno took the chance and dived for the soul. He got it in his hand and jumped out the window. He rolled to the side as he hit the ground to minimise the force on his feet. They still hurt terribly but not to the extent that he couldn't run. And that he did, he ran as fast as his legs could take him.

He ran as he heard Abane's men behind him. He ran as he past the trees and rocks that had been his friends. He ran as he left his entire world behind him.

Halfway down the path, he saw a beautiful brunette with long, beautiful hair ahead of him. He gave a shout to catch her attention. As he past her, Xeno grabbed her smooth white hand in his and pulled her along whilst yelling her to run.

The confused maiden did as she was told and ran with him. Together, they ran into the forest, leaving everything they had behind.

Part V - Escape