Page 15 of A Simple Truth

My eyes concentrated on the target as the string of my bow stretched further. I let it loose, the arrow hissed sharply cut through the air, marking the bullseye with a loud thump as it sliced through the wood.

“You’re up early,” Zora said, carelessly approaching me. “I see you got your dagger back.” She cast a stern look toward Heart Piercer glinting at my hip, clearly not liking such close proximity to the Basalt Glass.

“I wanted to have a head start on training. I figured I need more time than most, considering I spend half of it unconscious,” I retorted, pulling another arrow out of my quiver.

“Well, that’s the spirit.” Zora chuckled, watching me land another arrow right next to the previous one. “Not bad.” She smirked. “Perhaps, we can make a decent archer out of you. Ioanna and Yanush could use another competent bowman in their battalion.”

“They have their own battalion?” I asked, surprised. I knew they were skilled warriors. I had briefly seen them training between my bouts of unconsciousness. Zora motioned for me to follow her to another clearing, past the training ring.

“The Ten are not just the special forces of Gideon’s army, we are also their commanders. Ioanna and Yanush are in charge of the West battalion; Ashe and Lulu, North; Cass and Motra, East; and Cori and Tori, South. And then there is Gia, my second, who will deal with them all once I am dead.”

“Gia? Really?” I failed to hide the surprise in my voice.

Zora’s face lit up with amusement. “Pelagia might be tender-hearted, but rest assured, she will tear apart anyone to protect the people she cares about. And, she’ll make sure to do it with a positive outlook on the situation and an optimistic smile on her face. Plus, it’s that large heart of hers that wins everyone over and makes her a fierce leader.”

We approached a smaller field, scattered with wood chips—a feeble attempt to combat the mud from the constantly melting snow and rain. Zora stopped in her tracks and gave me another assessing look, her sharp eyes narrowing on me even more.

“Where did you learn to fight?” She asked, curiosity peaked in her voice.

“After I escaped, I became…” My mind paused, attempting to find the right words; All of them seemed wrong and unfitting to describe what Priya had become to me. “I became somewhat of an apprentice to a very skilled assassin. She trained me,” I replied, ignoring my aching heart at the mention of the copper-eyed Truth Teller.

“Have you killed someone in cold blood before?” Zora inquired.

“Yes.”

“Oh good, so then you are familiar with the Numb.”

“The Numb?” My brows bunched up in question.

“Yes, the numbing sensation that envelops you, akin to a void, providing solace in moments of action, rendering all emotions obscured and non-existent.” My eyes widenedin sudden realization. “It’s a trait all Destroyers carry,” she explained.

All this time, all those kills, all those moments of detachment and cold nothingness. It was theNumb?

“What?” Zora asked, noticing the slight shift in my face.

“I just always thought something was wrong with me and all this time, it was something as normal and as simple as a regular Destroyer trait?” I scoffed.

“I wouldn’t cross out the possibility of something being wrong with you quite yet.” The corners of Zora’s thin lips tugged upward, and I dramatically rolled my eyes. “The Numb becomes quite helpful when you have to kill a lot of people. Add to that Cleansing Fire and increased healing speed, and you have the best guilt-free soldiers this planet has ever seen,” she decreed proudly. “Now, a simple rule to learn is that the Numb is a tool, Finn, just like a knife or a hammer. It is very helpful when you need it, but if not used properly, it can hurt you. If you ever feel like you can’t slip out of it, or you find yourself craving that numbing feeling, you need to ask for help. Promise me,” Zora cautioned.

“Okay,” I immediately replied, but Zora’s eyes drilled deeper into me.

“No, Finn, I mean it. If you find yourself struggling, youneedto ask for help. I don’t care who you ask, but promise me that you’ll ask someone,” she said sternly. “I lost my mother to the Numb, and I’ll be damned if I lose one more soul to something that is supposed to help us live.”

I froze at the barren truth so simply given, unsure what to say or do, other than awkwardly nod, as Zora continued.

“Do you know much of Destroyers’ origin, our purpose?” she asked.

“No, only their reputation.” I gave her a half grin.

“Well, there is a reason for that reputation.” Zora adjusted her high bun. “How does that story go nowadays….” She took in a large, slow breath then started. “There was a curious young goddess, she snuck out of the Afterlife, or whatever you want to call it, fell in love with a mortal man, got pregnant...you know that part.” I didn’t, but I didn’t stop her. “When the gods found out and called her home, she already had four mortal children. Broken-hearted and unable to bring her children with her, she had given them gifts she once possessed. The youngest of them was given the gift to remember her and to see the past and future that could’ve been.”

“Seers?” I clarified. Zora nodded.

“The third child was given the gift of love and care; to care for her siblings and heal their wounded hearts after their mother left.”

“Healers?” I asked, and Zora nodded again.

“The second child was given the gift to beautify the world, to provide the younger ones with wonders to look forward to. Thus, Creators were made. However,the eldest child was given a gift, as well as a task; to watch over them, to protect them, to take care of them,to let no quarrel be and let the balance flourish.” Zora quoted the last phrase as if from a song. “Hence, the Destroyers were born. Thousands of years later, when the Destroyers came in their conquest to kick the Elvish waste out of Esnox, they brought the Magic Wielders here as well to rebuild and beautify the earth. In the True Order, Seers and Healers were always wise companions to Destroyers, helping them rule and guide, while Creators were their biggest supporters. There was unity, order, and understanding. The Destroyers protected Magic Wielders, ruled with fairness and justice, and settled any disagreements.” Zora scratched her nose as she carried on.

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